Train where it matters.

Oscar's Place is home to the first and only donkey hospital in the United States. We're building the next generation of veterinarians who choose donkeys.

Express Interest

The future of donkey care starts here.

Donkeys are one of the most underserved species in veterinary medicine. They present differently than horses. They are stoic in ways that mask illness. Most veterinarians encounter them rarely, treat them reluctantly, and never develop the specialized knowledge to serve them well.

We're changing that. Through our Externship and Internship programs, Oscar's Place offers vet students and new graduates the chance to train alongside Dr. Kate Schoenhals and a growing team of donkey medicine specialists. At two locations. Doing real clinical work that matters.

Track 1: Externship Program

Learn from the herd.

Who This Is For

Vet students currently enrolled in an AVMA-accredited program. 2-5 week clinical rotations are available for course credit at participating institutions.

Locations: Hopland, California (Oscar's Place headquarters) and Collinsville, Texas (The Center for the Advancement of Donkeys).

What You'll Do

  • Physical examinations and triage on a herd of 220+ donkeys

  • Herd health management and infectious disease protocols

  • Preventative care including dentition, vaccination, and deworming

  • Urgent and emergent case management under veterinary supervision

  • Donkey behavior, handling, and welfare assessments

  • Hands-on procedures under veterinary supervision

  • Donkey-specific physiology, nutrition, and common disease presentations

Supervised By

Kate Schoenhals (DVM), Head of Animals, and supporting veterinary partners, including Emily Berryhill (DVM, DACVIM) of UC Davis, Sheri Cronin (DVM) local ambulatory practitioner, and Andria Lessler (DVM).

Additional Information

Housing and meals are provided for the duration of your rotation. Travel stipend may be available for those who qualify.

Externship Interest Form

Track 2: Internship Program

Your first year. Where it counts.

Who This Is For

Licensed DVM graduates in their first or second year post-graduation. 12-month paid positions working under the direct supervision of Dr. Kate Schoenhals.

Locations: Hopland, California and Collinsville, Texas. Interns work across both locations depending on caseload and rotation schedule.

What You'll Do

  • Full clinical rotations across donkey medicine, emergency and critical care, and herd health

  • Work alongside UC Davis faculty partners and national donkey medicine specialists

  • Contribute to the first longitudinal donkey health data collection program in the United States

  • Assist with donkey-specific surgical procedures, including castrations and field anesthesia

  • Help establish protocols for the Center for the Advancement of Donkeys as it opens

  • Participate in mentorship and continuing education with Oscar's Place academic partners

Supervised By

Kate Schoenhals (DVM) and supporting veterinary partners, including Emily Berryhill (DVM, DACVIM) of UC Davis, Sheri Cronin (DVM) local ambulatory practitioner, and Andria Lessler (DVM).

Compensation

Competitive salary and on-site housing are included. Scheduled time off supports the well-being and work-life balance of all participating veterinarians. This is a meaningful, paid position at the start of your career. It is more than a stepping stone. It is a strong foundation for your future.

Why This Matters

Large animal veterinarians often encounter donkeys only occasionally. They treat them reluctantly. They never develop specialized knowledge. Veterinarians who train at Oscar's Place fall in love with donkeys at the moment their professional identity is forming.

For the rest of their careers, donkeys are not the species they encounter occasionally. Donkeys are a priority, a favorite, and an intentional focus. Decades from now, the donkey welfare landscape in the United States looks different because of the vets who trained here.

Internship Interest Form

Why Oscar’s Place

The TV Show

When Donkey King launched on ABC stations nationwide and Amazon Prime, we set out to introduce more people to their new favorite animal. Now we're doing the same for the veterinary profession.

The Operation

  • 220+ donkeys in care across three locations in California and Texas

  • The first and only donkey hospital in the United States, opening September 2026

  • GFAS-accredited (Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries)

  • UC Davis-partnered clinical curriculum designed by Dr. Emily Berryhill, Equine Internal Medicine

  • Rescue, rehabilitation, herd health, surgical capability, and adoption pipeline under one operation