Offsite Electives

Join us for a fun filled externship with our knowledgeable veterinarians in small animal medicine, surgery, and exotics. They will have experience in spay/neuter surgeries with rescue patients and exams/client communication opportunities. Will be able to engage with our veterinarians, interpret diagnostics, and go over advanced surgical procedures/scrub in and manage cases.

At Apple Tree Animal Clinic, we believe some of the most valuable lessons in veterinary medicine happen outside the classroom, and we love having the opportunity to help students grow into confident, compassionate veterinarians!

We are a privately owned small animal practice in Ranson, West Virginia, offering a welcoming, hands-on externship experience with individualized mentorship directly from our owner and veterinarian, Dr. Nicole Piper. Our goal is for students to become part of our team, not simply stand in the corner and observe!

Students are encouraged to actively participate in appointments, perform physical examinations, develop differential diagnoses and treatment plans, interpret diagnostic results, and assist with surgery, dentistry, and anesthesia as their experience and comfort level allow. We want students to ask questions, think critically, challenge themselves, and feel comfortable learning along the way. We are happy to tailor the experience to each student's interests, skill level, and personal goals.

One of the unique opportunities we offer is an inside look at business ownership and practice management. As an independently owned practice, we believe it is important for future veterinarians to understand not only how to practice good medicine, but also what it takes to build, manage, and sustain a successful veterinary hospital. Students interested in the business side of veterinary medicine are welcome to explore topics such as financial management, pricing and estimates, inventory, staffing, leadership, client relationships, employee management, and the everyday decisions involved in running a practice. We are happy to have open, honest conversations about the challenges, rewards, and realities of practice ownership. Whether students dream of owning their own hospital someday or simply want to better understand how veterinary practices operate, we believe this perspective is incredibly valuable.

Depending on scheduling and availability, students may also have opportunities to participate in livestock medicine, including cattle and goat herd health and reproductive work.

Above all, we strive to create a supportive, approachable learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making decisions under supervision, and building confidence in their abilities. We want our externs to experience the rewarding, challenging, and sometimes unpredictable realities of veterinary medicine while feeling like a valued member of our team.

Our hope is that every student leaves Apple Tree Animal Clinic with stronger clinical skills, a better understanding of the business of veterinary medicine, greater confidence in their abilities, and an even stronger passion for the profession!

A 4+ doctor private practice small animal GP in the outskirts of downtown Los Angeles. The practice has a strong commitment to providing a spectrum of care approach to how they practice medicine in order to meet the needs of the community that they serve. A typical day includes soft tissue surgeries, dentals, radiographs, sick appointments, and general wellness appointments.

Students assist veterinarians with both on farm and in-clinic caseload. Students will have the opportunity to diagnose pregnancy in cattle via  rectal palpation and ultrasound each day. Students will participate in herd health consultation visits and assist with development of herd health protocols. Students will have the opportunity to process cattle and perform routine surgical and obstetrical procedures. Students will assist with conventional embryo collection, evaluation, and transfer.

This externship is offered as a partnership between Dr. Hollmen’s research laboratory and the veterinary sciences department at the Alaska SeaLife Center.

This opportunity will occur in Seward, Alaska, a world-class marine animal research and rehabilitation facility. The extern will learn about research centering on the One Health concept by participating in projects relating marine animal health and conservation in the Arctic, in the context of ecosystem health. Student opportunities involve laboratory research using physiological, molecular and biochemical methods, animal health, and may involve an opportunity to participate in field investigations on marine ecology and disease epidemiology. The student will be able to shadow and may participate in veterinary procedures with the Alaska SeaLife Center veterinary team as schedule allows.  

Experiences lasting a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks are available. Only one Scholar will be scheduled at a time. Limited positions are available year-round based on veterinary and research joint decision of project and time availability.

Veterinary students at any level may apply but please note that hands-on clinical opportunities may not be available due to permit restrictions so this experience may not fulfill the clinical experience needs of upper level students though may qualify as a research rotation. Applicants must currently be enrolled in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Program.

Work hours are typically 8:30–5:00 but may vary depending on the needs of the center, wildlife response, or the specific project assigned. The work week will typically be Monday through Friday. However, students should be flexible if opportunities arise on their weekend days.

Housing is not provided. Students should provide their own transportation to and from the aquarium. There is limited public transportation but most places in Seward are within walking or biking distance. Health insurance is required.

Our fast-paced two doctor practice in Fresno, California, is one of the few clinics in the area that caters to both small animals and exotics. We treat a diverse patient population that includes dogs, cats, reptiles, chelonians, pocket pets and a wide variety of avian species ranging from finches to red-tail hawks. Students will gain comprehensive, hands-on exposure to daily exams, diagnostic interpretations (including radiographs, ultrasounds and laboratory results) as well as both routine and more complex soft tissue and some light orthopedic surgeries. Additionally, we feature an advanced veterinary dentistry program that encompasses everything from routine cleanings to guinea pig/rabbit teeth trimmings and extractions. Students will also have the opportunity to observe specialized maintenance procedures, such as beak trimming for birds and chelonians.  

Student will spend two weeks with our emergency clinicians with exposure to patient evaluation, case work up, management of hospitalized cases and emergency procedures. Student will also work collaboratively with the specialists in our Surgery, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, and Neurology departments. 

Medium/large open admission shelter with multiple locations offering instruction in shelter medicine principles and infectious disease control. Students will be able to particpate in rounds, animal pathway planning, infectious disease discussions/ control measures/ treatment, and occasionally surgery.  Also potential for participation in non-spay/neuter surgeries (amputations, enucleations, dental procedures). 

• Our practice has been a part of the community for over 100 years continuing to grow and evolve through the times.  You will receive collaborative and one-on-one mentorship from our team to help guide you through your career.  From our mentorship, our low-stress practices, modern diagnostics and your hard work, you will be able to guide the journey for your cases as well.  We see general practice wellness, sick and urgent cases daily, emergencies are only seen if we can add in. 
• For weeks 1-2 (depending on length of time), we will have you shadow the doctor.  For appointments we will have you get histories and take vitals.  You can then review the history with the doctor and help develop a treatment plan.  Surgeries may be done under supervision depending on your skill level. We are a full-service animal hospital and we welcome emergency cases as well as patients in need of routine preventive care.
• For weeks 3-4 (alter to go along with length of time), you will still be shadowing the doctor, but we will have you start managing drop off appointments and developing treatment plans.  Surgeries may be done under supervision depending on your skill level.
• The more interactive, proactive, knowledgeable you are, the more you will be able to do.

Brooksville Veterinary Clinic is a small animal general practice in Brooksville, FL.  Elective experience will cover a wide range of wellness and sick appointments, along with various soft tissue surgeries.