Animal Enrichment Internship

Students interested in animal behavior, enrichment and behavior research will gain valuable experience through this internship. Interns will assist staff in developing new enrichment items and protocols. The Animal Enrichment Intern will be in charge of observing, monitoring and recording animal behavior, assisting with development of recommendations of an overall enrichment schedule based on species, age and housing. Applicants should be flexible, detail oriented, a self-starter, able to work independently and in a team setting, and an effective communicator.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Learn to design, construct, and implement environmental enrichment.
• Research and create new enrichment for PAWS Chicago Animals. All enrichment must fall within established safety guidelines. Behavioral observations will be essential in order to evaluate the success of all enrichment.
• Basic animal care including cleaning housing and preparing food alongside staff and volunteers.
• Learn and follow Animal Operations safety guidelines, operations, and polices.
• The Enrichment intern position is responsible for assisting our Assistant Manager in a variety of tasks revolving around the enrichment and training of the many dogs and cats at of Population Management PAWS Chicago.
• Observation and data collection
• Assist with recordkeeping and data entry
• Clean, maintain, and construct enrichment and training supplies

• Passion for animals and belief in our mission to create a No Kill Chicago.
• Excellent written and verbal communications, with the ability to represent the mission, goals, policies, and core values of PAWS Chicago in a sincere and energetic manner.
• Ability to adapt, work collaboratively with a team, and solve problems proactively.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to a high level of customer service.
• Basic computer skills, including e-mail and Microsoft Office.

THIS INTERNSHIP MAY INTEREST YOU IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING FIELDS:

Animal Care, Animal Science, Animal Sheltering, Animal Behavior, Research, Veterinary Science, Shelter Management, Veterinary Services, Zoology.

Compensation & Benefits

This is an unpaid internship with PAWS Chicago.