The Emory University - Division of Animal Resources (DAR) Veterinary Externship Program is designed to provide interested third and fourth year veterinary medical students the opportunity to experience the field of Laboratory Animal Medicine. Laboratory Animal Medicine is an AVMA-recognized specialty that combines clinical medicine, preventative medicine, pathology, recognition/development of animal models, regulatory oversight, and collaborative/independent biomedical research.
The Emory University DAR oversees all aspects of the care of laboratory animals on campus. Species maintained include mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, amphibians, fish, sheep, and pigs. Students will observe and participate in the many of the responsibilities of a laboratory animal veterinarian primarily by shadowing the current residents and through interactions with the faculty veterinarians. The student's learning experience may include the following:
- Proper handling, restraint, and associated techniques used in working with laboratory animal species.
- Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in laboratory animals.
- Anesthetic management and perioperative care of laboratory animals.
- The basic tenets of regulatory oversight.
- Familiarity with typical laboratory animal species. Including anatomy, physiology, and clinical medicine.
- Gross necropsy, pathology, and histology of laboratory animals.
- Animal models of human disease.
- Collaborative and independent biomedical research.
- IACUC Meeting attendance
The DAR is comprised of 94 employees in total. There are 5 ACLAM-boarded veterinary faculty and 3 veterinarians in training.
General educational resources and experiences include:
- Access to substantial library of materials
- Work space provided
- Weekly veterinary staff meetings
- IACUC meetings
- Other resources as necessary to engage in experiences
- Lab animal courses during the academic year
It is expected that the student engage in all aspects of the animal resources program as directed by the resident and faculty veterinarians. This will include but is not limited to: Clinical management of cases, Management of surgical cases, Necropsy, IACUC meeting attendance. Externs will deliver a presentation addressing a topic of their choosing to the veterinary staff on the last day of their experience.
Expected work schedule is 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. The majority of the time is spent shadowing veterinary technicians and veterinary residents.
Recommendations for housing can be provided, but Emory provides no financial support.