Our objective is to acquaint the student with the scope and pace of a busy 13-doctor, 3-location small animal practice and teach the student aspects of client communication, history taking, examination, assessment, formulating and implementing treatment plans, surgical skills, business management, personnel relations, and finances as can best be found in a private practice situation.
Thirteen veterinarians are on staff, with areas of special clinical interest that include dentistry, general and orthopedic surgery, ultrasound, cardiology, acupucture and Chinese herbal therapy, chemotherapy, behavioral problems, radioiodine therapy, exotic animals and practice management. Equipment includes digital radiography, dental radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy and in-house lab equipment.
Typically we expect students to be present Monday-Friday, for a minimum of 40 hours. We will customize our experience to match student goals, but typically students start out by shadowing and observing, and then become more active participants as time goes on. Activities may include collecting patient histories, physical examination of patients, participation in planning and executing diagnostic and treatment plans, inpatient monitoring, assisting in surgery, interpretation of radiographic and ultrasonic images and cytology specimens, independent study and research of selected medical topics, practicing clinical techniques, etc.