West Place Animal Sanctuary’s Educational Internship Programs provide local students with hands-on learning opportunities at one of the region’s most unique non-profit organizations. Since 2007, West Place has provided a permanent home and lifelong care to farm animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and cruelty cases. Students enrolled in the school-year and/ or summer internship programs will experience life on a working farm, and participate in a variety of activities that highlight all of the work required to care for dozens of species of farm animals and wildlife.

Interns will gain real-world experience in farm animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, working with lost dogs, observing veterinary visits, shearing, hoof trimming, dentistry, and more. Additional opportunities involve participating in our food cultivation program, which includes farm-grown vegetables and fruits, and maintenance of our rotational grazing system and sanctuary grounds. Interns get to go behind the scenes when they are taught day-to-day operations, maintenance and other essential skills. Each day, animal lessons are given regarding nutritional requirements, exercise and conditioning needs, anatomy and animal welfare.

Internships can be tailored to your area of study and interests, and activities can include:

• farm animal care


• wildlife rehabilitation


• veterinary visits, shearing, hoof trimming, and dentistry


• on-site food cultivation program


• farm property management and land stewardship


• gardening, horticulture, and landscaping


• facilities management and maintenance/repair work


• farm and non-profit operations


• fundraising, marketing, and communications

Educational Internships are popular among students studying veterinary medicine, biology, environmental science, or any of the life sciences. The practical experience at West Place compliments classroom teachings and helps prepare students one to further their educations or begin their careers. Students also learn compassion, kindness, mindfulness, and other skills that have a wide range of personal and professional applications.

School-year internships typically run from September through May, and summer internships typically run from mid-May to mid-August, but exact dates and times are flexible and will vary from student to student. Student interns will work under the supervision of staff and alongside adult volunteers and fellow interns. Apply today at https://www.westplace.org/intern-app to join the team at West Place that is cultivating a more compassionate community in Rhode Island and beyond.