We are a non-profit organization that raises and trains dogs for the visually impaired. We have our own breeding colony of dogs, and we raise 450 puppies a year in order to graduate 220 trained guides for our clients. The veterinary team consists of 2 full time veterinarians, and a support staff of licensed veterinary technicans. We are responsible for the care of 100 breeding dogs, 500 puppies, and 175 dogs in training in our Canine Development Center at any given time. We do routine preventive health care as well as any urgent or emergency care necessary for our dogs, including abdominal exploratories, c-sections, dental work including extractions, orthodontics and bonding teeth, wound care, reproduction medicine and routine spays and neuters. We radiograph to screen all dogs for dysplasia before they enter their formal training to be a guide dog. We work with our visually impaired clients to teach them how to care for their dog once they leave our campus.
We have 2 full time DVMs, who rotate being on call 24/7. We see only dogs in our program, which consists of 100 breeding mom and dad dogs that live off campus in private homes, as well as 500 puppies being raised for us by volunteers all over the United States. We house about 175 dogs in our newly renovated Canine Development Center, where our dogs spend 5 months in a formal training program. These dogs are our priority, and their health is our repsonsibility. We do most all procedures and diagnostics here, sending out for referral only the specialized cases. We have ultrasound, endoscopy, digital radiographs, digital dental radiographs, surgical electrocautery and a slit lamp. We have a cryogenics laboratory where we store frozen semen for future use in our breeding bitches. Our licensed technician staff is highly utilized and we run a very busy and efficient clinic. If we have a special case, we have local specialists that we work with, and our vet student externs are often sent along with the case for further knowledge.
The vet clinic is staffed Monday through Friday from 8-4:30. There are no weekend scheduled hours. However, if an urgent case arises, we can call you in to assist. Students will also be called in for after hours c-sections or asked to help on weekend breedings if they desire. Students will be given responsibilities based on their level of experience. Students have the opportunity to do some theriogenology work and some reproduction medicine if desired. There will be opportunities for students to spay and neuter 13 month old dogs and see outpatient appointments by yourself if you are at that level. That being said, most students will get more out of the externship if this is not the first rotation they have. It is helpful to have had some experience if you want to fully utilize the opportunities here. Students get to see lots of normal dogs, which many find very helpful. Entry exam into training is done on anesthetized dogs, so lots of opportunities to look at retinas, thorough otic exams, phlebotomy, cystocentesis, orthopedic exams, etc.
Student housing is available in our residence facility where our visually impaired clients stay while learning to use their new dog. The vet student will be provided 2 meals daily and eat in the dining room with our clients and their dogs. As long as we are not full with clients, we have room for vet students. There is no charge for this room and board. Since you will be housed with our clients and their dogs, there are no personal pets allowed. You will have a private bedroom, private bathroom, small refrigerator, WiFi, and linens are provided. You have access to laundry room and work out room.