Department of Agriculture Internship Program (DAIP)

1. Large Animal Veterinary Internship
•Learning Areas:
•Assist in field visits to farms for treating livestock (cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, poultry & rabbits).
•Learn about herd health management, vaccinations, and parasite control.
•Observe and support in pregnancy checks and artificial insemination procedures.
•Gain experience in equine or dairy herd management.

Possible Workplaces:
•Farms, ranches, equine centers, government agricultural departments.

2. Animal Welfare & Control Internship
•Learning Areas:
•Assist in general animal welfare cases.
•Learn about behavioral assessments for adoption suitability.
•Gain experience in emergency care and shelter medicine.
•Help implement community outreach programs on responsible pet ownership.

Possible Workplaces:
•Animal pound and rescue organizations

3. Veterinary Public Health Internship
•Learning Areas:
•Study the role of veterinarians in zoonotic disease prevention (e.g., rabies control).
•Assist in food safety inspections to ensure proper handling of animal products.
•Support government efforts in disease surveillance and outbreak response.
•Work on veterinary legislation and policy-making research

4. Livestock Extension Internship
Experience in the field of farmer education, livestock genetic improvement and herd health

 5. Stockman/Animal Care Internship
Experience in providing farm animal care, nutrition and husbandry

 6. Abattoir
Gain experience in the humane slaughter and processing of food animal species. Participate in antemortem, slaughter, postmortem and carcass delivery services.

7. Agronomy & Crop Science
Provide hands-on experience in areas such as plant cultivation, soil health, pest management, and sustainable agriculture. Depending on the focus, an intern could gain experience in research, fieldwork, technology application, and agricultural policy.

8. Agricultural Health Inspection
Help prevent the importation of pests and diseases through monitoring and inspection.

Interns will be expected to:
•Work alongside professionals in their chosen division.
•Complete assigned tasks and participate in hands-on training.
•Attend relevant workshops and field activities.
•Follow department policies and procedures.
•Comit to a set schedule for the internship duration

1. Age Requirement
Applicants must be at least 16 years old at the time of application (18 years of age for the Veterinary Unit).

2. Demonstrated Interest in Agriculture & Related Fields
Since we welcome applicants from high school level and beyond, we recognize that not all individuals will have formal education or work experience in agriculture. Therefore, we will assess genuine interest using the following:

a. Statement of Interest (Mandatory)
•Applicants must submit a 250-500 word essay explaining:
•Why they are interested in the specific division they selected.
•Any prior experiences, academic subjects, orpersonal activities that sparked their interest.

b. Letter of Recommendation (Mandatory)
•Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, employer, mentor, or community leader, vouching for their interest, work ethic, and suitability for the internship.

c. Extracurricular Involvement (Preferred but Not Mandatory)

3. While not required, applicants are encouraged to highlight any relevant activities, such as:
•Participation in agriculture-related programs (e.g. 4-H Club, FFA, environmental clubs, etc.).
•Volunteering at an animal shelter, farm, botanical garden, or related organization.
•Science or agriculture-related passes, coursework, projects, or competitions

1. Selected interns must demonstrate commitment and engagement in their work.

2. Any intern who fails to participate actively, disregards responsibilities, or treats the internship as a casual experience may be removed from the program to maintain its quality and integrity.

Application Requirements:
1.Completed Internship Application Form (see below)
2.Statement of Interest (250-500 words)
3.Resume (if applicable)
4.Letter of Recommendation

Selection Process:
•Applications will be reviewed by an internal committee.
•Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.
•Interview (For Shortlisted Candidates)
•Shortlisted candidates may be invited or an interview (in person or virtual).
•Selected interns will be notified and provided with onboarding details.

I hereby acknowledge that the information given above is accurate and I do not have a medical condition that would prevent me from participating in the the field(s) of interest stated.

This program is a serious opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing careers in agriculture, veterinary science, agronomy, animal welfare, and related fields. We look forward to reviewing applications and welcoming dedicated interns into our program!