Volunteer Opportunities

Cornell University Hospital for Animals has an active volunteer program for people who wish to become involved in the Companion Animal Hospital and the Equine/Farm Animal Hospitals.

Volunteer Coordinator
The hospital is currently looking for a volunteer for our volunteer program . someone with special people skills who is interested in being the Volunteer Coordinator for Cornell University Hospital for Animals. This person would assist with creating job descriptions, and interviewing, placing and training volunteers. This volunteer opportunity is estimated to be 4-8 hours a week.

Community Practice Service (CPS) Volunteers
CPS, the hospital's primary care service for companion animals, has several opportunities for all ages. CPS volunteers have the opportunity to observe general physical exams, dentistry procedures, dermatology exams, ultrasound, and some radiology procedures. Volunteers learn restraint, how to prepare vaccines, order from pharmacy, and help with clients and educating them on their animal's condition.

Licensed Veterinary Technicians and Students in AVMA-Approved Veterinary Technology Programs
Licensed veterinary technicians and students in AVMA-approved veterinary technology programs may apply to participate in volunteer externships organized by Nursing Manager Kim Baldwin, (607) 253-3238.

Wildlife Clinic
We are always looking for volunteers to care for the native wildlife brought to our clinic for help. The clinic runs entirely on donations of time and money, and as a result can help as many as 500 animals a year. Our goal is to return the animals to the wild, and we work closely with qualified and licensed rehabilitators. We find sanctuary homes for animals that cannot be safely reintroduced into the wild. Come be a part of our team! Sorry, but we are limiting our wildlife volunteer program at this time to individuals from the Cornell community.

Especially for Teenagers
The Learning Web provides Tompkins County youth with hands-on volunteer learning opportunities, including those at Cornell University Hospital for Animals. The contact people are Sue Schwartz or Kate D'Italia, coordinators for Ithaca, and Nadine Khouzam, coordinator for Lansing/Trumansburg/Groton/Newfield/Dryden; they can be reached at (607) 275-0122. The Career Exploration Program of the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Vocational Center provides high school students with a variety of volunteer work experiences. The contact number for the program is (607) 257-1551.

You Name It, We'll Consider It . Volunteers We are flexible, and if you have a special desire or a special skill you would like to put to work in one of our hospitals, please let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Here's How to Apply and What the Criteria Are:
To apply for a volunteer opportunity, contact Sue Proper in the Office of Hospital Operations at (607) 253-4238 or by emailing vet-hosp@cornell.edu. Hospital volunteers must meet and/or agree with the following conditions:

1. Participation is entirely voluntary.
2. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
3. Cornell University bears no responsibility in case of an accident or health problem that may be encountered as a result of activities carried out in connection with volunteer activities or otherwise. Volunteers are not allowed to work under hazardous conditions. Volunteers are not eligible for university accident or medical insurance, and they are not covered by employee benefits or workers' compensation.
4. Volunteers are subject to all laws and university regulations. Violations of these will result in removal from the volunteer program
5. The following forms are required to be completed before a person may volunteer.

   a. Proof of Rabies Vaccine: Since the college is located in a rabies endemic area, CUHA volunteers must obtain pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis vaccination at their own expense. Exceptions will be made if the volunteer will be assigned to an area in which animal contact is not possible.
   b. Volunteer Agreement Form
   c. CUHA Confidentiality of Patient and Client Information Form
   d. A release form holding Cornell University harmless from any liability related to the volunteer experience.