4th year students are able to act as the primary veterinarian on all cases that are of low to moderate difficulty. They go in rooms alone, get their histories, perform physical exams, and communicate with clients. They then go through PE findings with the mentoring doctor and discuss their diagnostic plan. The mentoring doctor makes any necessary changes, and the diagnostics are carried out by the technicians. The student discusses potential differentials and how they would like to amend or change their plan. The mentoring doctor advises and makes any necessary changes and the treatment plan is carried out.
Hospital is fully staffed with 1 VA and 2 VTs per doctor. The hospital is fully equipped - ligasure, digital x-ray, ultrasound, therapeutic laser, CO2 laser, cautery, dental x-rays. We do not have CT, MRI, or scope.
The student will work 5 days/40 hours per week. This could be any 5 days, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Students will not be shadowing. They will act as the lead doctor on each case with the support of a mentoring doctor who will always be present when the student is present.
Free student housing is available in the spare bedroom of the owner of the hospital. It is approximately 20 minutes from the elective location. This lodging is pet friendly.