Mystic Aquarium

With the assistance of both external and in-house funding, the Department of Animal Care of Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation, is sponsoring a one-year Veterinary Internship in Aquatic Animal Medicine and Research. Applicants for the internship should be graduates of an AVMA accredited veterinary college or ECFVG certified. All applicants should have successfully passed the NAVLE. Preference will be given to applicants with graduate degrees and/or postgraduate clinical experience in a practice or internship setting. Entry level familiarity with ultrasound, radiology, and endoscopy systems is expected. The stipend for the position is expected to be $30,000 per annum plus benefits.

The successful applicant will assist the veterinary, research, and husbandry staffs in the diagnosis and treatment of medical cases from the Aquarium's extensive collection of invertebrates, fresh and saltwater fishes, reptiles, amphibians, penguins, seals, sea lions, and beluga whales. In addition the intern will participate in our rescue, rehabilitation, and release program for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Collateral opportunities at cooperating area academic, government, and private industry laboratories as well as zoos are possible and encouraged. The intern will have an opportunity to develop teaching skills by his/her involvement in the Aquarium's veterinary externship program and at informal seminars and college lectures. The intern will be expected to pursue one or more clinical or research interests and to prepare the results for presentation to our staff and at an appropriate professional meeting as well as for publication in the peer reviewed literature. Past interns have gone on to acceptance into well-recognized graduate/residency programs or employment in the field of aquatic, comparative, or zoological medicine.

Applicants should submit the following material to:

Allison D. Tuttle, DVM, Diplomate ACZM
Staff Veterinarian & Director of Animal Care
Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd.
Mystic, CT 06355
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

1.)  A current transcript from the veterinary school and any post-baccalaureate program which he/she has attended.

2.)  Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic performance and his/her potential in the clinical and research arenas. At least two of the letters must be written by a veterinarian.

3.)  A cover letter/statement relfecting the applicant's goals in the area of aquatic animal medicine and research.

4.)  A current curriculum vitae.

Potential applicants who will be in the southern New England area are encouraged to contact us for a tour of our facilities and a chance to meet with our staff.   Additional information may be obtained by calling Dr. Tuttle at 860-572-5955 X101, or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . A general orientation to our facility and programs can be obtained by viewing our web page http://www.mysticaquarium.org. Mystic Aquarium is an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer.

Allyson McNaughton (2012- Present)

Jennifer Flower (2010-2012)  Currently in the Illinois Zoological and Aquatic Animal Residency Program (IZAAR) in Chicago (John G. Shedd Aquarium, University of Illinois and Chicago Zoological Society) 

Claire Erlacher-Reid (2009-2010)  Completing the residency at the University of Florida in Aquatic Animal Medicine.

Barbara Biancani (2008-2009)   Graduated from the University of Bologna College of Veterinary Medicine. Completed her PhD at the University of Padova.  She is currently consulting for Costa Edutainment.

Cara Field (2007-2008)  Worked with the University of Connecticut and Mystic Aquarium. Dr. Field was granted a research fellowship through NOAA OHHI/I-RICH to continue studying the intercellular effects of marine Brucella on human and marine mammal cells. Currently working at Georgia Aquarium as the Associate Veterinarian.

Jenny Meegan (2006-2007)  Completed the Aquatic Animal Residency program at the University of Florida. Currently working as a clinical veterinarian with the National Marine Mammal Foundation.

Delphine Sarran (2005-2006) Completed veterinary school at Ecole Nationale Veterinaire de Toulouse in France.  She was the veterinary intern at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. Dr. Sarran has returned to France to practice veterinary medicine.

Michelle Davis (2004-2005) Graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary School. She completed a Zoo and Aquatic Animal residency through the combined facilities of Shedd Aquarium, Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. From Chicago, Michelle accepted a position as veterinarian at the Oklahoma City Zoo. She is currently a veterinarian at SeaWorld in Orlando.  Michelle is boarded with the American College of Zoological Medicine.

Allison Tuttle (2002-2004) Graduated from North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed the Aquatic Animal Medicine residency North Carolina State University. She is boarded with the American College of Zoological Medicine. Dr. Tuttle is currently the Staff Veterinarian and Director of Animal Care at Mystic Aquarium.

Todd Schmitt (2001-2002) Graduated from Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, and is currently the Senior Veterinarian at Sea World San Diego.

Carrie Goertz (1999-2001) Currently a staff veterinarian/rehabilitation manager and veterinary researcher at the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward , Alaska.

Scott Willens (1998-1999) Graduated from veterinary school, and completed his PhD at North Carolina State University . Currently a veterinary researcher in the US Army.

Jodi Scherrill (1997-1998) Completed internships at the National Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago . She is boarded with the American College of Zoological Medicine. She was a veterinarian at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California and in currently in private practice.

Lisa St. Aubin (1996-1997) Graduated from veterinary school, currently works for Pfizer and volunteers at Mystic Aquarium.

Marty Haulena (1995-1996) Graduated from the University of Guelph, Canada. He is boarded with the American College of Zoological Medicine. Former staff veterinarian at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. Currently working as the staff veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Kelly Helmick (1994-1995) Completed a Residency at UFLA, and currently is a staff veterinarian at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle , WA. She is boarded with the American College of Zoological Medicine.

Tom Lembo (1993-1994) Entered a residency in clinical pathology at North Carolina State University . Sadly now deceased.

Sal Frasca (1992-1993) Graduated from University of Pennsylvania veterinary school. Completed PhD and pathology residency at University of Connecticut . Currently ACVP Diplomate and Associate Professor of Pathobiology at UCONN.