Offsite Electives

Veterinary Student Externship - Small Animal General Practice Clinical Rotation Program

Greentree Animal Clinic is a family owned small animal general practice in Western Pennsylvania just south of Pittsburgh.  We offer the opportunity for veterinary students to join us for a 2-4 week clinical rotation experience in small animal general practice.  Our clinical rotation is designed to allow students, under veterinary supervision, to practice the problem-solving, technical and communication skills that they have acquired during their clinical preparation. Externs are given the opportunity to work alongside our veterinary team and are encouraged to participate in all aspects of patient care. We would like to provide you with as much hands-on experience as possible. However, your exposure will vary depending on the nature of the cases presented as well as your experience level. We will determine your level of “hands-on” participation in each case as it arises.

Our large caseload allows for students to experience a variety of cases that are commonly seen in general practice.  We have in house diagnostics including Blood Chemistry analyzers, Digital Radiography and Ultrasound that are used daily to diagnose our patients.  Procedures such as spays, neuters, dentals, and mass removals are performed on weekdays.  We also perform surgeries such as cystotomies, eyelid surgery, digital amputations, and others based on patient and client need.  

Externs are expected to be enthusiastic and effective participants in our patient care activities, upholding the professional and ethical standards of our practice.  As a veterinary student extern, we expect you to dress and behave in a professional manner and to meet the expectations that we have of all team members.  

Interested applicants should be currently enrolled in an accredited DVM/VMD program and authorized to work in the United States.  Applicants should also carry professional liability insurance. AVMA PLIT liability insurance is free for all student members of the AVMA. You may apply for this coverage on their website.  

Both NYU Langone Health and NYU (Washington Square) serve as host organizations in support of the NYU-Regeneron veterinary externship program. Generally, externship experiences are coordinated so that externs are splitting time between the two host organizations. Day visits are supported by Regeneron when clearance and timing allows.

While at NYU Langone Health, externs will have the opportunity to shadow veterinary technicians performing facility rounds and while assessing a variety of rodent health cases, will have opportunities to observe rabbit and pig procedures, shadow the current veterinary residents, and sit-in on veterinary postdoctoral didactic lectures and journal review sessions. Opportunities will also be available to observe operational meetings and institutional animal care and use committee meetings. While at NYU Langone Health, externs will be required to participate in hands-on training wet labs to learn proper mouse and rat handling and restraint, and depending on comfort level and competency, may be allowed to assist in training scientists or husbandry staff. Additional opportunities to learn various injection and venipuncture techniques in rodent, rabbit, or pig species will be provided when available or upon request. 

While spending time at NYU Washington Square, externs will have the opportunity to shadow while residents and veterinarians support nonhuman primate medical and surgical procedures and participate in a NHP behavioral enrichment program. Opportunities will also be available to observe operational meetings as well as sit in on institutional animal care and use committee meetings. Additional opportunities will be provided to shadow the current veterinary residents, and sit-in on veterinary postdoctoral didactic lectures and journal review sessions.

As part of the elective, each extern will be required to complete a variety of species and industry-specific online training modules. At the end of the externship experience, externs will be asked to give a presentation on an assigned topic, or a topic of their choice, to the veterinary and/or animal care staff. 

We are a 24 hour, AAHA hospital (for 40 years) of exceptional client based veterinary care for both emergencies and wellness.  We have always striven to be the best client and community centered practice and provide mentoring for a very high case load of complicated and challenging medicine and surgery cases. We have 14 doctors for 2 locations who work 1-3 shifts per week.  Our second location in Fern Creek is highly skilled in low stress pet care.   Both hospital provide wellness care (Vaccine, spay/neuter, dentistry) so we have long term clients who love us and we get regular doses of puppy breath.  New graduates who join our practice receive exceptional mentoring and are never alone with cases so we routinely view each others radiographs, lab resuls and work as a team for the best patient outcome.

The primary purpose of our Veterinary Student Externship is to provide a hands-on learning experience for 3rd and 4th year students who are enrolled in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. The program is scheduled for 2-week blocks at our hospital. We feel that the students who possess an open mind and a willingness to learn will benefit the most from our externship.