Description of Elective Experience:
- Students will gain exposure to the different aspects of technical service and consultant poultry medicine. Most flock visits will be within Pennsylvania and students will learn about various commercial poultry species and production types throughout the central and eastern regions of the state.
- Students will have opportunities to gain experience with the following commercial poultry species: turkeys, broilers, laying hens, game birds, and breeding flocks of each respective species. These flocks are reared to meet a variety of different consumer markets including conventional, NAE/ABF, organic, live bird markets, caged layers, cage-free layers, embryo egg layers, pasture raised, game birds raised-for-release, and others.
- Students must be prepared to actively participate during visits to farms, hatcheries, processing plants, feed mills, and other facilities involved in poultry production. Specific visit schedules will vary depending on client needs and regional disease challenges.
- Students may also have out-of-state travel opportunities with the veterinarian to meet technical service demands for other BVS territories, where commercial poultry production is prevalent.
Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.:
- Staffing: 1 veterinarian, licensure in 4 states. Coverage of all BVS territories for technical service (https://www.bestvetsolutions.com/contact/locations).
- Disposable PPE and other necessary biosecurity equipment throughout the rotation will be provided.
- All tools, materials, and instruments required for the elective experience will be supplied by the veterinarian. It is recommended that the student have a laptop, notebook, and writing utensils to use for projects and studies as needed.
- Study materials will be provided by the veterinarian, including access to current American Association of Avian Pathologists textbooks. Wi-Fi or a cellular hotspot will be provided to the students, as needed.
Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?:
- Students will accompany the vet each weekday of the externship.
- Students will be given many opportunities to participate in technical service and client consultation visits throughout the rotation. If the student would like to gain experience with specific species or production types, they must communicate this with the veterinarian as soon as possible, and no later than 1 month prior to the start of their rotation. Clear communication with the veterinarian during the months leading up to the externship will aid in developing a poultry elective that can best meet the students’ interests.
- Students will be exposed to poultry producing premises several days each week; downtime between visits may vary based on clients, species, production types, and/or disease challenges. Students will be able to assist with premise evaluation, flock evaluation, bird examinations and necropsies, and other tasks required to improve flock health. On "non-poultry premise" days, students may observe/assist with visit reports, review diagnostic lab results, shadow or participate in industry meetings as desired, and complete poultry-related projects and studies.
- Some weekend days may be required if out-of-state travel is scheduled during the elective period.
Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info):
- BVS will provide students with lodging and meals, as needed.
- Transportation needs must be discussed with the veterinary supervisor. Students will travel with the veterinarian during working hours, however if "off-hours" transportation is required, please plan accordingly.
- Currently, pets are not permitted due to lodging and travel constraints.
Supervisor:
Dr. Corissa Robinson, DVM, DACPV
Website:
https://www.bestvetsolutions.com/services/veterinary-services
Contact email:
Address:
825 Sportsmans Dr
Middleburg, PA 17842
United StatesSpecialties:
Animal Type:
Practice or Institution Type:
Is student housing available?:
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week:
40+
Global engagement opportunity:
No