Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital, FL

Description of Elective Experience: 

We are a 24/7 full service referral hospital with ambulatory service and reproduction center. This together with the number of cases seen each day and the knowledge and expertise of the veterinarians provide a strong learning environment. The hospital is staff boarded in surgery, sports medicine and rehabilitation and internal medicine, and has an inpatient caseload of approximately 1750 patients annually.

The hospital provides for orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery (including respiratory, urogenital, gastrointenstinal, and ophthalmic), emergency colics (both medical and surgical), neonatal intensive care, dystocias (including cesarean section or fetotomy), 14-hour intensive care with lab results for blood gas, chemistries and hematology, and 24-hour emergency service. It also provides medical workups of all kinds (including cardiac care and evaluation, ultrasonography, and electrocardiogram), lameness examinations, reproductive evaluations, radiography, gastric endoscopy, and a sports medicine barn with scintigraphy and under-tack dynamic scope.

Our ambulatory veterinarians have extensive experience in equine reproduction and training horses and we have the largest ambulatory fleet in the southeastern United States. Our Reproduction Center conducts all aspects of assisted reproduction at a separate 90-acre facility with the largest recipient mare herd in the southeastern United States. In addition to the general reproduction management of the stallion and mare, services include: embryo transfer, embryo freezing, oocyte transfer, ICSI, semen collection and shipment.

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.: 

Associate Veterinarians and special expertise available

  • Philip M. Matthews, DVM (Head, Reproduction Center)
  • J. Kevin Hahn, DVM (Ambulatory)
  • Donnie E. Slone, DVM, DACVS
  • William B. Russell, DVM (Ambulatory, Acupuncture)
  • Faith E. Hughes, DVM, DACVS
  • Carol K. Clark, DVM, DACVIM
  • Timothy M. Lynch, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR
  • Nathan R. Mitts, DVM (Ambulatory)
  • K. Ryan Meeks, DVM (Ambulatory - Acupuncture)
  • John L. Peterson, DVM (Ambulatory)
  • Allen B. Riggs, DVM (Ambulatory)
  • Raymond D. Rood, DVM (Ambulatory)
  • Adam S. Cayot, DVM (Ambulatory - Dentistry)
  • Tanya M. Thacker, DVM (Ambulatory, Reproduction Center)
  • Eric A. Evans, DVM (Ambulatory - Dentistry)
  • Luis F. Cadena, DVM (Ambulatory)
  • Rhiana M. McFarlin, DVM (Ambulatory)

Educational Resources

  • Weekly rounds
  • Weekly journal club
  • Monthly Grand rounds with other practices in area
  • Wet labs (July - Jan for incoming interns)
  • CE seminars provided by vendors
Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?: 

Responsibilities

Students are primarily here to observe, but some hands-on will be available.

Student Supervision

  • Ambulatory experience is one-on-one with the veterinarian with more opportunity for hands-on.
  • Hospital experience is more observation but with plenty opportunity for discussion.
  • Working day is Monday through Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm with opportunities to be called in for emergencies during the evenings and weekends.
Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info): 

We provide free accommodation in two fully furnished houses with laundry facilities.  Bed linens, towels, etc are provided.  There is a strict no pet policy.

Supervisor: 
Faith E. Hughes, DVM, DACVS
Website: 
www.petersonsmith.com
Contact email: 
Address: 
4747 SW 60th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34474
United States
Animal Type: 
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
Yes
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
40