To spend a couple of weeks interning here at Natomas Veterinary Hospital would give the participant an opportunity to see what it is like to work in a small animal veterinary hospital, including some of the background duties and challenges a practice owner has to deal with regarding clients, employees, and some economics of running a practice. Also the student would also gain appreciation of the practical experience of working up and treating typical small animal patients, and a few exotics, in the "real world" where we can still offer the ideal care but may be constrained financially and how a small animal hospital veterinarian would approach these cases on a day to day basis.
Institutional Resources: We have 4 small animal general practitioners working here. We often will have visiting radiologists, cardiologists, and surgeons providing services here as well.
Educational Resources Available: Journals, books, VIN, Idexx doctors and website. Informal rounds amongst doctors here about intriguing and difficult cases.
Showing exemplary respect of our already-established work flows and employee-responsibilities while still participating in learning and teaching. On-time and consistent attendance. Getting along and working with my staff, but still trying to learn veterinary medicine from a veterinarian's point of view. The student intern may be bubbling with questions but may need to politely hold onto questions until an appropriate time without disrupting the flow of care and client communication.
Student Supervision: Will vary depending on which doctor is on and what is going on, but Dr Andrea Kirsch will be the overall Supervisor. Approximately 8 hours a day, 5-days a week, M-F are available, but again, there may be pockets of time when a doctor would be doing phone calls, euthanasias, etc where the student may need to shadow the other doctor or the technicians, but many learning opportunities throughout each day will be available. The student could stay after hours to listen to client phone calls regarding lab work, client questions, and see the closing protocols of a small animal hospital also.