Wolf Park - Practicum Program

Practicum Program

Practicum Coordinator: Holly Jaycox

Cost:
$595 for up to one month. Reduced fee for additional months. Please call for details.

Practicums are a great opportunity for participants to get a more relaxed look at how a not-for-profit animal facility works without having to work for Wolf Park while you are here. You don't have to be majoring in biology, or have a lot of animal experience. What we're looking for is a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Come join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Practicums are required to submit an application for consideration.
(Download PDF Internship Application)

What You Will Learn
Annual Activity Schedule

Practicums last one month, although stays of different durations can sometimes be arranged. Practicums are not required to work for the Park, and therefore have a lot more free time to consider doing research, although a practicum is not required to do any research either (and is also free to do work for the Park if desired!!) The practicum fee covers the cost of living in the dormitory and access to our reference materials. (It does not include food or transportation.)

Wolf Park offers little formal or structured education for practicums or interns. Therefore, participants need to be self motivated, outgoing, and capable of working without close supervision. The practicum program is most useful for people who have definite research or study goals in mind, or for those with limited amount of time available to spend here. Internships are better suited for those who want to possibly dabble in research, explore different aspects of animal-related careers, or those who simply want to experience working for a non-profit, educational organization and learning about wolves. If neither of these educational opportunities interests you or your time is very limited, Wolf Park does offer an assortment of seminars which last only 3-5 days. Visiting students whose time here coincides with a seminar may participate in some seminar lectures, if scheduling permits.

Both interns and practicums will get limited opportunities to interact with Wolf Park's resident socialized wolves. However, due to safety concerns, as well as other considerations, this is a very small part of the experience of studying and working at Wolf Park. If your only real interest is in handling wolves, this program is not appropriate for you.

Participants reside in a communal house on the grounds, which includes television, internet access, laundry facilities and a kitchen with shared dishes. Food and transportation are not included. Bringing your own transportation is highly recommended, as Wolf Park is not really within walking distance from any stores, restaurants, or hotels. Operational policies will apply (see our housing policies)

At the end of your practicum you will be given a certificate of completion, and a one-year single membership to Wolf Park.

At Wolf Park you can learn:

Observation techniques, and the interpretation of animal behavior.
To distinguish individual animals.
To distinguish individual behavior patterns and the contexts in which they occur.
To keep notes and records of your observations, creating a journal, and the use of additional references.
To use proper terms and their abbreviations in recording observations.
Maintenance of wild animals in captivity -- with special emphasis on the behavioral and psychological needs of animals.
Awareness of an animal's world from its perspective, rather than from the anthropomorphic point of view.
Many other skills such as road maintenance, use of lawn equipment, and skills for working with the public.

As a practicum student you will also:

Have unlimited time to observe the wolves.
Have the opportunity to perform approved research projects.
Not be required to work for Wolf Park, although volunteering would round out your education (and be greatly appreciated). The amount of work you do is totally your choice.
Be able to have extremely limited hands on experience with the wolves.

What you are responsible for bringing to Wolf Park:

A desire to learn.
A positive attitude.
The maturity level and personal drive to work/study unsupervised.
Flexibility and cooperation.
The maturity to work safely around wild animals.

ANNUAL ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

The following is a general monthly schedule to help prospective interns and practicums decide when they may want to stay at Wolf Park.

January Closed to the public except on Howl Nights. The wolves are becoming more active and we prepare for the breeding season. January, February, and March are a good time for observing behavior. Quite cold weather.	July Open to the public six days a week. Puppies are still being raised by human parents. Hot weather.
February Closed to the public except for Howl Night. The wolves are at their most active, and breeding season is in full swing. Quite cold still.	August Open to the public six days a week. Puppies are reintroduced to the pack. Hot weather.
March Closed to the public except for Howl Night. Breeding season is over, and we wait for the puppies to be born*. The wolves are still active. Not as cold, but snow still possible.	September Open to the public six days a week. Can be hot, but starting to cool off.
April Closed to the public except for Howl Night. The puppies are born and raised by human parents. The activity level of the wolves is dropping. Rainy and still chilly outside.	October Open to the public six days a week. Getting nicer out, but rain can begin.
May Open to the public six days a week. Puppies are being raised by human parents. Getting warmer, still may be wet.	November Open to the public six days a week, but visitation is dropping way off. Getting cold and wet outside.
June Open to the public six days a week. Puppies are still being raised by human parents. Getting hot weather now.	December Closed to the public except for Howl Night. Wolf activity level is increasing. Winter arrives.
NOTE: We may or may not have puppies in any particular year, and they may or may not stay living at Wolf Park as described here. Inquire for details when you arrange your internship or practicum.

Learn More:
Internship Application Process
Wolf Park Housing and Policies