Veterinary Internships
Shelter Medicine Internship
These veterinarians have diverse educational opportunities as they rotate through experiences at our Pilar & Chuck Bahde Center for Shelter Medicine, which opened in 2019, and at our various other campuses and locations. They gain skills in clinic medicine, surgery and multiple veterinary specialty areas. They also engage in public speaking, teaching seminars, participating in rounds, external shelter evaluations, field experiences and so much more.
For more information or to apply, please visit: Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program.
Wildlife Medicine Internship
These veterinarians spend the year at both our Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center and Ramona Wildlife Center, learning about how to care for everything from hummingbirds and ducklings to bobcats and coyote pups. Through the Wildlife Medicine Internship, participants are able to make a lifesaving difference for fragile animals who don’t normally get a second chance, helping them to recover and be released back into the wild where they belong.
For more information or to apply, please visit: Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program.
Meet Our Interns
Dr. Rachel Eddy
Dr. Rachel Eddy comes to San Diego Humane Society after completing her veterinary degree at Louisiana State University, where she also served as Vice President of the Shelter Medicine Club and Secretary for Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE). Dr. Eddy’s experience while in veterinary school includes externships in spay/neuter programs and small animal veterinary practices. Growing up in rural Louisiana where veterinary care was largely inaccessible, she values the opportunity to provide medical services and support to pets and people in need. Following this passion for helping the most vulnerable animals in our community, Dr. Eddy plans to apply the skills she develops during her internship to a residency in shelter medicine. At home, Dr. Eddy lives with two silver tabby cats, Marshall and Merlin, as well as an axolotl named Daniel.
Dr. Isabella Healy
Dr. Isabella Healy joined San Diego Humane Society after completing her veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to attending veterinary school, Dr. Healy worked as a veterinary assistant at San Diego Humane Society, an experience that inspired her to become a shelter veterinarian. She returned to the organization after her clinical year in 2022 to work at both the San Diego and Escondido campus hospitals and completed externships at the ASPCA Spay Neuter Alliance and the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in La Mesa. She is especially excited about this internship because it will allow her the opportunity to work at one of the largest shelter hospitals in the U.S., exposing her to a high medical and surgical caseload. A self-described cat lover, Dr. Healy has two cats of her own at home — one Sphynx and one tripod domestic short hair. Outside of work, you can find Dr. Healy spending time with family, reading thrillers, working out, and enjoying the beach.
Dr. Nicole Marter
Dr. Nicole Marter joined San Diego Humane Society after completing her veterinary degree at Western University of Health Sciences, where she served as President of the Veterinary Business Management Association. In addition, while attending school, Dr. Marter participated in the Veterinary Summer Research Program, winning third place for her presentation in the clinical science category. She has volunteered at the Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita and at Best Friends Animal Society and has worked as a student assistant at Banfield Pet Hospital. During her internship, she is most excited to learn more about dog and cat behavior, treating exotic species and managing complications that arise during surgery. Dr. Marter grew up with a menagerie of pets, including dogs, rats, goldfish, betta fish, mosquito fish, and horses. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, reading fiction, playing volleyball and visiting the San Diego Zoo.
Dr. Madison Tolan
Dr. Madison Tolan joined San Diego Humane Society as our Leslie H. Stupp Wildlife Veterinary Intern after completing her veterinary degree at University of Edinburgh Royal School of Veterinary Studies. While completing her program, she participated in the Animal Shelter Medicine Club and the Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Society. Dr. Tolan’s interest in wildlife medicine began over her summers interning at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. She then went on to hold externships with the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Florida and the Ojai Raptor Center. She is incredibly excited for the opportunity to advance her wildlife veterinary skills with San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife, one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation programs in the country. Dr. Tolan is from Colorado, where she grew up with rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, hamsters and guinea pigs — learning firsthand that every animal is worthy of care and compassion. Dr. Tolan’s hobbies include swimming, yoga and rock climbing.