The Lakeside Veterinary Center is a two-doctor companion animal practice. Our patient case load is approximately 50% dog and cat and 50% exotic (small mammals, birds and reptiles). Rabbits comprise about 15% of our patients. The hospital's owner, Jeffrey Rhody, is an ABVP certified specialist in small mammal medicine and surgery. He is a VIN consultant for the small mammal board, and occasional speaker at CE meetings. We hope to soon have a second veterinarian on staff with many years of exotic animal experience and years of teaching experience.
Our office is in Maryland midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC and is well equipped. We have digital radiography (DR) and digital dental radiography (DR). We perform at least 2 dental procedures weekly and a fair amount of oral surgery. We have a surgical CO2 laser, low level therapeutic laser, and have just invested in a radiosurgical unit. We have also just purchased a CR digital dental unit so we can use the flexible plates in the mouths of rabbits and rodents. In surgery we also have video-otoscopy and rigid endoscopy. We are in a wonderful community of veterinary colleagues to whom we refer cases when needed (mostly board-certified specialists), and from whom we receive referrals (mostly for exotic patients).
Students will be expected to (at first) follow along with a veterinarian, and then if deemed useful, to work with the veterinarian and client to develop a diagnostic plan followed by a treatment plan. Cases will be discussed and reading or research online (e.g. VIN) may be assigned. We want you to learn as much as possible while here!
We have a GREAT staff of veterinary techs and assistants and two of the best ever kennel techs. Everyone is cross trained to some degree. Feel free to read our reviews on Yelp and Google, and to visit our Facebook page. It is worth noting that out staff gets the most praise in these reviews. Customer service and patient care are our top priorities.
Student should bring with them a drive to learn, basic knowledge from your classwork (and other rotations), an open mind, and a stethoscope. Teaching and learning are 2-way streets. We would love to help you grow your clinical skills, knowledge base and for the right students, some surgical experience.
Subsidized housing in a hotel is available if needed. We are currently exploring the many options that exist in the hopes of finding a pet-friendly hotel.
Ideally student should have health insurance that would be in effect at the time of externship.
Please contact us via email (lakesidevc1@gmail.com) and include a copy of your resume, and a list of elective course you have taken.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The veterinarians and staff at the Lakeside Veterinary Center.
See above.
Plan on a 5 day work week although it may be more...but no more than 40 hours unless you would like.
You will follow the vet at first, then interact with the clients (history taken, preliminary physical exam) and consult with the primary vet about how to proceed. The extern that shows ability and initiative will get some surgical experience as well.
As noted above, subsidized hotel housing will be made available.