Zoological Residency Program

Program Descriptions

The ACZM General Zoo Health (GZH) and the ACZM Zoological Companion Animal Medicine (ZCAM) Residency Programs are four-year specialty training programs offered through the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets, and Wildlife at the University Animal Hospital (UAH), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich. Training takes place at the UAH only for the ZCAM program and additionally at the Zurich Zoo and local wildlife parks for the GZH program. The programs include three years of formal ACZM-accredited training required for credentials to ACZM board exam, with an additional year designed to strengthen clinical expertise, allow flexibility for unexpected circumstances (e.g. extended sick leave) and provide time for board exam preparations.

The Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife service operates both hospital and field services with a current caseload  of approx. 3000 cases/year. Besides providing a service for privately owned exotic pets, the Clinic is responsible for the entire veterinary service at Zurich Zoo, the Wild Animal Park Langenberg, and the Wild Animal Park Winterthur. Both Zurich Zoo and WAP Langenberg are EAZA and BALAI approved institutions. The collection of the Zurich Zoo comprises species of all taxa, while the wild animals parks are holding primarily European/Eurasian wildlife species. The current species breakdown oft he case load is approx. 45% mammals, 30% reptiles, 20% birds, and 1% fish/invertebrates, with 40% zoo animals, 50% privately owned exotic pets, and 10% wildlife. In addition, the caseload in privately owned exotic pets can be divided into 70% first-opinion and 30% referral. Currently the caseload described above is handled by 7 clinical veterinarians of which three are ACZM Diplomates involved both at the University and at the Zoos/Wild Animal Parks: Prof. Jean-Michel Hatt, professor, Dr. Maya Kummrow, Co-Lead of Clinic and senior lecturer, Dr. Eva Dutitre, senior staff veterinarian.

The main goal of the ACZM residencies is adequate preparation of residents for a diversity of careers involving exotic non-domestic species including specialized medical service to exotic pet animals, medical management of captive zoo populations, species conservation and conservation medicine, and research. It is expected that residents achieve all requirements for ACZM exam credentialing (including 3 first author peer-reviewed publications) after completion of the three years of formal training and pass the Qualifying and Certifying examinations of the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) within 2 years of finishing the programs.

Training Structure and Clinical Environment

All four years of the program are primarily devoted to participation in the activities of the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife within the University Animal Hospital of the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, as well as field activities at various zoological institutions, including Zurich Zoo and the Wild Animal Park Langenberg.

Under the supervision and guidance of the faculty clinicians, the residents assume primary case responsibility (including immobilization procedures and preventative health programs).

The resident’s schedule follows a rotation of  4 weeks on- and 1 week off-clinic. During on-clinic periods, the resident will handle cases from Monday to Friday, performing medical investigations and surgeries. Emergency on-call duties are limited to one weekend every 3-4 weeks. The 9 weeks off-clinic time per year are allocated to study time and professional development such as independent study, research, writing, rotations to other UAH services (e.g. anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology), and attending national and international conferences. Support in study preparations by individual mentoring, book and journal clubs are provided under the guidance of the ACZM mentors during the residency.

In accordance with university employment regulations, residents are entitled to 5 weeks of annual leave. The ACZM’s requirement for continuous resident supervision by an ACZM Diplomate is fulfilled by ensuring the resident has access to at least one of the three ACZM Diplomates (Prof Jean-Michel Hatt, Dr. Maya Kummrow, Dr. Eva Dutitre) at all times.

Eligibility Profile

The program is designed for veterinarians with the following qualifications:

• Fluency in spoken German and in written and spoken English (MANDATORY)
• A valid veterinary license in the country of origin (officially recognized by the Swiss Medical Professions Commission)
• Advanced clinical competency

Priority is given to individuals with:

• Two to four years of practical experience in small animal, exotic, or zoo animal medicine, or completion of a one-year rotating internship in small animal or exotic medicine
• Prior veterinary experience at a recognized institution, supported by a reference from a supervising veterinarian (e.g. externships at veterinary hospitals, zoological institutions, or private practices)
• An excellent academic record with prior research experience and scientific publications

Short-term observational visits at the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, may be arranged as part of professional exposure.

Employment Conditions and Benefits

• The program does not charge tuition fees
• Professional liability insurance is provided
• Health insurance (approximately CHF 2,000 per year) and parking costs (approximately CHF 600 per year) are the responsibility of the participant
• Twenty-five days of annual leave
• The average annual salary is approximately CHF 71'000

Contact

Please submit applications only for training positions that are currently advertised and open, as listed on our university and clinic websites or other relevant platforms (e.g., AAZV, EAZWV, ACZM, ECZM). While we are unable to consider unsolicited applications, we do very much welcome prospective applicants to contact us with specific questions about our programs and to inquire about the possibility of short visits to become acquainted with our team and clinic.

Dr. med. vet. Maya Kummrow DVSc, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ECZM (ZHM)  
Senior Lecturer / Co-Head, Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich
maya.kummrow@uzh.ch

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