Learning by doing is part of Alex Relovsky’s DNA as a Diplomat. Emboldened by his experience training capuchin monkeys at Franklin & Marshall College’s campus vivarium, the pre-veterinary student was determined to further immerse himself in real-world animal care. Relovsky connected with Franklin & Marshall College’s Center for Career and Professional Development and secured an internship with Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation.

“My experiences at Acorn Acres have been 100% hands-on, which is the best way to learn!” Relovsky said. “This internship has confirmed that I want to spend the rest of my life working as a veterinarian.”

Alex Relovsky ’29

Intended Major: Public Health (Biology); pre-veterinary

Summer Experience: Animal care and rehabilitation assistant at Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation in Lancaster, Pa.

Funding Support: Rackow Kaminsky Endowed Fellowship for Pre-Health Students

Hometown: Ringwood, N.J.

What type of work are you doing with Acorn Acres?

Some of my responsibilities include feeding and caring for our animals. The animals I most frequently work with are Virginia opossums. However, the coolest things I get to do are on the clinical side, such as dosing and administering medications via injection or orally, assisting in clinical procedures such as tooth trimming, and performing diagnostic testing such as lead testing. My experiences at Acorn Acres have been 100% hands-on, which is the best way to learn!

Everything I do is under the supervision and direction of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Acorn Acres is like a family, which is why an internship with them is such an amazing experience. The people are truly incredible; they will be your biggest cheerleaders, and are always pushing you out of your comfort zone to learn new things.

How did your F&M studies or personal interests impact your decision to do this internship?

F&M gave me the ability to step into the animal world by volunteering in our campus vivarium, where I trained capuchin monkeys. After that experience, I knew I had to do a summer internship to figure out if becoming a veterinarian was the right career for me. 

What has been the most fascinating aspect of your experience so far?

I have been able to see the whole life cycle of animals, from baby to release, and, sadly, sometimes death. But in each stage, I learn about the differences in care plans and how to assess animals, and maybe most importantly, how to determine if an animal is able to thrive.

How do you feel your F&M education prepared you for this opportunity?

The well-roundedness of my F&M education, especially in my first year, has allowed me to explore my interests while pushing me to think critically and manage multiple responsibilities. These skills translate to the fast-paced environment of a wildlife rehabilitation clinic. 

How did you locate this internship?

I found this internship through Handshake (F&M’s student employment, internship, and job opportunity database), and also through a suggestion from Sarah Gall, director of pre-health professions advising. This internship was made possible through F&M summer experience pre-health funding.

How has this internship helped you along your chosen career path?

This internship has confirmed that I want to spend the rest of my life working as a veterinarian. The hands-on nature of this internship has allowed me to actually test whether or not I would like to work in a medical setting with animals. 

Why did you choose F&M?

First, I chose F&M for its small class sizes and personalized attention. I knew that I wanted to work closely with my peers and professors, which would have been more difficult at a university with lectures of hundreds of students. Second, F&M blew every other school out of the water with its financial aid package. Third, the F&M community pushes you to succeed. Everyone is always rooting for you, no matter your major, hometown, financial status, sports affiliation, or world views.