We invite students to experience small animal general practice and urgent care in a privately owned practice. Students will be given the opportunity to see their own cases under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, which may include preventative care plans, non-wellness workups, and soft tissue surgical cases. The program will follow a condensed version of our mentorship program for graduates, where the schedule is staggered to allow ample time to discuss cases with the doctor as well as review past case files. Students will also be given the opportunity to learn about business ownership, if desired. This can include budgeting, HR discussions, and some of the benefits and challenges of remaining a private hospital.
We currently have one full time DVM, three licensed veterinary technicians, three assistants, a full reception staff, and office manager. We are equipped with full in-house diagnostics as well as Idexx laboratory, digital radiology, dental radiology and scaling equipment, ultrasound, and electrosurgery unit. We have access to referral hospitals within an hour of us.
The student schedule will be 40 hours, Monday through Friday as follows:
Monday 9am-7pm
Tuesday 12pm-8pm
Wednesday 8am-6pm (surgery day)
Thursday 8am-4pm
Friday 8am-12pm
Depending on their level of comfort, students will be responsible for the following:
- Performing physical examinations on patients for scheduled examinations
- Discussing physical exam findings with veterinarian to determine diagnostics and treatment plans
- Discuss diagnostic and treatment plans with owners to obtain consent and answering any related questions owners may have
- Work with veterinarian on staff to prescribe necessary treatments and come up with a follow-up plan, as needed
- If students are comfortable, they will perform surgical procedures including, but not limited to, spays and neuters, mass removals, prophylactic gastropexy, dental extractions
- Completing all records regarding their respective cases and procedures performed within 48 hours of appointments to allow staff veterinarian to review records
- In addition to consulting with each appointment, students will be expected to meet with the staff veterinarian daily to review records and management plans, and to discuss past cases
The externship is meant to be a learning opportunity for students and as such is very flexible. If students are not comfortable performing procedures, this is not required. Students will, however, be required to at least shadow all procedures and client interactions so that they may discuss case management.
While a range of cases are seen throughout the day, we do offer urgent care appointments that students will have the opportunity to participate or shadow.
Housing is available with a host family if desired. This is a room in the home of the staff veterinarian/owner. There are currently three cats and two dogs that also live in the home, so pets would be welcome on an individual basis. The house is 25 minutes from the practice on 25 acres of land with a small horse barn and riding trails. All bedding and linens to be provided along with meals with the host family through the week. Students are welcome to travel to and from the practice with the veterinarian. Otherwise, transportation would be the responsibility of the student along with weekend meals and activities.