Callanan Veterinary Group, MA

Description of Elective Experience: 

Callanan Veterinary Group (CVG) is searching for motivated veterinary students to gain externship experience in our small animal hospitals in the greater Boston metropolitan area.  CVG operates five clinics in MA and one in RI, focusing on providing excellent primary care for cats and dogs.  Our group of six hospitals and over twenty doctors means that our externs can learn a variety of successful approaches to common medical and surgical conditions.  The successful extern can expect to gain the following experiences during their term:

  • Primary care medicine and surgery of cats and dogs in an urban/suburban general practice setting
  • Physical examination techniques (routine) with specialized exams as indicated (neurological, musculoskeletal, ophthalmic, etc.).
  • Evidence-based diagnostic and treatment algorithms with a "spectrum of care" approach
  • Diagnostic imaging case review
  • Tissue handling and minor surgical procedures (spay/neuter, laceration repair, small mass removals, etc. as permitted by caseload)
  • In-house clinical pathology with a residency-trained veterinarian (comparative medicine)
  • Option for off-site field trip to the New England Aquarium to meet and greet animal care staff in the Giant Ocean Tank
  • Option for off-site experience at the Merwin Memorial Free Clinic to participate in community medicine

Our externships are generally 2 to 4 weeks in duration and will provide the extern with opportunities at at least two of our facilities.  Our veterinarians work 4x10 shifts per week, and our externs generally spend Mondays through Thursdays in clinics with the option for flexible scheduling if needed.  Externships are designed for third- and fourth-year veterinary students.

CVG is the oldest family-owned private veterinary practice group in America.  We pride ourselves on excellent clinic culture, superior mentorship opportunities, and staff retention - some of our associates have been practicing with us for almost two decades!  Our hospitals offer full-service care, including dedicated surgical facilities, digital radiography (full-body and dental), in-house Antech/IDEXX laboratory analyzers, high-speed dental equipment, and consultations with our traveling internal medicine and cardiology specialists.  Our Medical Director and other experienced senior clinicians are available to assist with challenging cases, surgical skill refinement, tricky client communications, and other hurdles that face new grads and seasoned veterinarians alike.  We've been in business for almost a century but continually strive to provide progressive medical care for our patients and excellent practice environments and compensation for our veterinarians.  Come see why Boston's pet owners have trusted us for almost 100 years!  We'd love to have you onboard, either as an extern or later in your veterinary career.

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.: 

CVG hospitals are outfitted with the following equipment:

  • Dedicated surgical/dental facilities
  • Digital radiography (full-body and dental)
    • Ultrasounds/echos are performed on-site by per diem specialists; advanced imaging studies (CT/MRI) are referred off-site
  • Portable ultrasound units (most locations)
  • Multiparameter anesthetic monitoring equipment
  • In-house benchtop laboratory analyzers (Antech +/- IDEXX, location-dependent)
  • High-speed dental equipment and piezoelectric scaler
  • Consultation access to traveling board-certified internal medicine and cardiology specialists
  • Full on-site pharmacy
  • Abundant referral options in the area, including Angell/MSPCA, Blue Pearl, and Ethos Veterinary Hospitals

Externs will be supported by in-house technical staff, primarily veterinary technicians and assistants.  At some hospitals, there may be assistance from kennel and husbandry staff depending on case volume.  Hospitals are typically staffed with 1-2 dedicated technical staff per doctor, with additional support for reception and treatment areas.

Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?: 

Externs will spend 2 to 4 weeks rotating through shifts at at least two of our hospitals.  Externs should expect to spend the majority of their time in clinics with our Medical Director but will have the opportunity to meet and train with other associate veterinarians, as well.  Our veterinarians work 4x10 shifts per week, and our externs generally spend Mondays through Thursdays in clinics with the option for flexible scheduling if needed.

Our externs will only be scheduled when there is a supervising veterinarian on the floor with them.  They should expect to spend the first few days shadowing clinicians with progression to primary case management pending satisfactory evaluation of basic clinical skills (physical exam, diagnostic workflows, treatment plans, etc.).

Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info): 

We are able to offer a modest housing stipend for interested applicants.  Preference will be given to students with financial need and/or those who come from unique or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Supervisor: 
Erin E. Turowski, DVM
Website: 
https://callananveterinarygroup.com/
Contact email: 
Address: 
4110 Mystic Valley Parkway
Suite 8
Medford, MA 02155
United States
Animal Type: 
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
40