2025 - Shadow a Vet for a Day

Shadow a Veterinarian for a Day.

Masks and other COVID-19 protections may be required for this program.

We offer one Shadow a Veterinarian for a Day experience each month between March 1 and October 31.

This program must be scheduled during the workweek (Monday through Friday) on a date that is acceptable to the veterinarian and the tour-goer.

Shadow a Veterinarian for a Day is an exclusive, weekday-only experience that allows one participant to spend approximately seven hours accompanying a North Carolina Zoo veterinarian. While the day is designed to reflect a “typical” schedule, no two days are ever truly typical in zoo veterinary medicine. Each experience is shaped by the medical needs of the animals, and unexpected emergencies may arise that can alter the course of the day.

This is not a one-on-one experience with a veterinarian, as many procedures require a full support team to ensure everything runs safely and smoothly. Participants observe the collaborative nature of zoo veterinary care, which requires veterinarians, vet techs, and animal care staff to work together.

The program is open to individuals 16 years of age or older and is best suited for those with a strong interest in veterinary medicine. The experience begins at 7:45 a.m. and usually ends between 2 and 3 p.m. A pizza lunch is provided.

The program cost of $575 for Zoo Society members and $615 for non-members provides Zoo admission, a full-day experience with the Zoo Veterinarian, lunch, and a $550 tax-deductible donation to the North Carolina Zoological Society, the private 501(c)3 non-profit that raises funds for the North Carolina Zoo. These proceeds support the needs of the Zoo’s veterinary hospital.