During your externship, you can expect to participate in cases with direct mentorship by a DVM who will meet with you to establish your goals on day one, keep track of your progress throughout your stay, and review your accomplishments before you depart. Our goal is to provide you with a set of tools that you will use for years to come. We encourage active participation from externs, introducing them to our clients and truly making them part of our team. If there are certain technical skills you are looking to improve upon, let us know so we can place emphasis on these areas. We strive to provide the ideal environment for you to gain confidence while managing both routine and complex cases on the ER floor. We request that externs select one interesting case to research and present to the veterinarians for further discussion in rounds. These case discussions help our teams learn and grow together; further emphasizing that mentorship is a two-way street.

Description: The Best Friends Veterinary Externship Program gives fourth-year Veterinary students hands-on experience in a unique shelter medicine setting. The Best Friends clinic serves the medical needs of all Best Friends Animal Sanctuary animals (dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs and various other mammals, reptiles, and amphibians).

This two, three or four-week program gives externs hands-on experience with:

• Participating in medical rounds
• Making diagnoses
• Offering treatment recommendations
• Conducting scheduled appointments
• Assisting in emergency situations
• Completing special projects, as assigned
• Performing spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures (depending on prior surgical experience and current caseload)
• Interpreting diagnostic testing and providing opinions about the medical treatment animals are receiving

You may also be asked to:

• Perform general care of patients, such as feeding, walking and cleaning living areas
• Do laboratory work (e.g., fecals, urinalysis, preparing lab samples)
• Assist in cleaning the clinic at the end of the day
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Time commitment:

• 40 hours per week for two, three, or four weeks, externs may be asked to assist with emergencies outside of business hours
• Daily schedule may vary (typically M-F, 8a-5p)

• Days off may vary (typically Sat/Sun off)

Qualifications:

• Must be a fourth-year veterinary student or equivalent level in a three- or five-year program.
• Must have reliable transportation (motorized vehicle) in order to get to various areas of the Sanctuary, which are spread out over several miles.
• Must have genuine interest in animal welfare and shelter medicine.
• Must be able to understand and adhere to all safety rules.
• Must be able to remain calm and focused during emergent situations.
• Must demonstrate initiative to listen to instructions, ask questions to clarify if needed, and ensure that tasks are carried out correctly.
• Must have positive attitude and enjoy working with volunteers, staff and public clients.
• Must ensure that all responsibilities are completed effectively and in a timely manner.
• Must be able to communicate effectively through oral and written communication.

Physical requirements:

• Must be able to routinely lift up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Must be comfortable performing strenuous physical activity daily, including but not limited to walking, bending, lifting, carrying, twisting, reaching, stooping and squatting, and ascending and descending ladders.
• Must be comfortable and confident interacting with physically strong dogs, such as when walking them on a leash or restraining them for medical procedures.

This is an unpaid externship. Housing is not provided. All expenses including living expenses and travel are the responsibility of the extern. Upon acceptance into the program, externs with genuine financial needs can apply for scholarships to assist with housing and travel expenses.

Please note that space is limited. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. There are multiple two, three, and four-week sessions offered per year. Each session can accommodate one extern. We typically schedule students 18-24 months in advance of their desired rotation dates.

Small animal practice with a focus in wellness care, sick/emergency, surgery

Students will shadow clinicians throughout their day, including participating in consults, client communications, treatments and procedures, case discussions and treatment decisions.