Biology major Sophie Snodgrass ’26 knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from early childhood—some of her earliest memories are of playing vet with a toy kit she was gifted at just three years old. Now, she no longer plays at being a veterinarian; at Rhodes, the Fayetteville, AR, native is gaining invaluable hands-on experience with giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and other exotic animals through internships with the Memphis Zoo.
Snodgrass, now a three-year starter on the volleyball team, first learned of Rhodes when she was recruited for athletics. Given Rhodes’ location right across the street from the Memphis Zoo and the college’s reputation for placing students in top-tier graduate programs—the acceptance rate into veterinary schools for Rhodes students is 87 percent, versus a national average of 10 to 15 percent—she knew her veterinary dreams would also be realized here.
After researching veterinary opportunities in the area, Snodgrass applied for an internship at the Memphis Zoo during the 2024 spring semester and received the Summer Giraffe and Rhino Internship. There was never a dull moment at the zoo, as her day-to-day responsibilities varied widely. “Working with giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and other exotic animals never gets old,” she says. “I was always excited to come to work and learn something new.”
This internship allowed Snodgrass to work three main shifts at the Memphis Zoo, each offering a unique experience. In the first shift, she assisted zookeepers in training giraffes and giving a keeper chat to the public. In the next, she maintained habitats and prepared specific rhino, zebra, and oryx diets. In the final shift, she helped close the barns housing the red river hogs and bongos.
Snodgrass gained a newfound appreciation not only for the zoo’s animals, but also for its staff. “I have the utmost respect for zookeepers,” she says. “It is a very laborious career, especially when dealing with large, exotic animals like giraffes and rhinos.” Though the physical demands of her work were significant, her newfound passion for exotic animals brought her back to the zoo this semester for yet another internship.
She applied for and received a Primate Research Internship, which she is currently completing under the zoo’s Senior Conservation Biologist Dr. Beth Roberts. Snodgrass’ research involves observing the behavior of several primates who are undergoing moves within the zoo. She spends half an hour at a time taking careful notes on the primates’ behavior before reporting her findings back to the rest of the research team. They hope to reveal trends in primate behavior to improve future moves for the animals.
When she’s not working at the zoo or representing Rhodes on the volleyball court, Snodgrass serves as an international peer advisor, as well as the founder and treasurer of Rhodes’ Veterinary Society. Over breaks, she is a veterinary assistant at a clinic in her hometown, where she has accumulated more than 2,000 hours working with dogs and cats.
With two exotic animal internships under her belt, clinical experience, and still more research to come, Snodgrass feels well-prepared to take the next step in fulfilling her veterinary dreams. She plans to apply to veterinary school next year, with a new focus on continuing work with exotic animals.
By Hannah Meit ’25
