Offsite Electives

SouthPark Animal Clinic is a high-volume general practice located in Littleton, Colorado. We provide comprehensive preventative care, medical and surgical services, as well as behavioral consultations for our clients and their pets. Our goal is to empower clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their pets’ well-being, while supporting them throughout every stage of care.

Externs will work alongside our experienced doctors to develop hands-on surgical and medical skills, as well as strong client communication abilities. This externship is designed to help students further their clinical confidence and prepare for success as future Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs). We also strive to accommodate and support special interests when possible, depending on availability and opportunities during the externship.

It is a pleasure and an honor to host students, the future of our profession. The following information is being shared to help prepare students for their visit with us.

Team : 

Our doctor team consists of Dr. Kernaghan, Dr. Cortez, and me. Dr. Kernaghan and Dr. Cortez are seasoned small animal general practitioners who are following their passion by pursuing a residency in Dentistry & Oral Surgery. We have an experienced, wonderful team of technicians and assistants. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have; we work together as a team to provide care and teach students/DVMs.  

Schedule : 

Typically, Monday-Thursday, from 8am to 6pm. We plan for students to shadow us 4 days a week. Generally, that is Monday-Thursday. If students prefer a different day off during the week, please let us know.  

Lunch : 

Students may take an hour for lunch at any time during the day. Most students take a lunch break between surgeries, sometime between 12-3pm. We have a break room and a fridge. There are local places to eat, including a Schlotzky’s within walking distance.                        

              Dress :  

Please wear scrubs and bring a stethoscope. It can be chilly in our clinic; I recommend a sweater, jacket or white coat. We offer eye protection, or you can bring your own. Closed toed shoes are required. My residents and I prefer to wear a bouffant. These mouths can be yucky. Just something to consider – not required. I bought mine for $10 off Amazon. Suggestion: the surgical caps with the buttons increase comfort when wearing surgery masks – it takes pressure off your ears.  
 

Expectations : 

My goal is to meet with students for a few minutes on the first day of your externship to discuss your goals, questions, needs, etc... If your first day is when I am not here, that could either be later in the week or with my senior resident, Dr. Cortez. We are here to help you. Most students come in and say they need to “learn everything”. That is great. Just try to soak up as much as you can. If you have specific goals, please give us a list of items so that we have an action plan to work through during your visit.  

Under your externship, I am required to fill out a survey that grades your “performance”. If you would like for me to be able to answer certain questions, let’s discuss that early in your externship. I want to empower you to lead the way with your specific goals. We are often busy, and things can get lost in the shuffle if we are not intentional about meeting your goals. 

Pre-Rotation Learning : 

I recommend completing the University of Illinois Veterinary “Clinical Small Animal Dentistry" modules prior to your rotation. This will give you a foundation of knowledge for us to build on.  It will augment your time with us. You can pay for this online, or you may be able to get access to it at a reduced price through your vet school +/- dental club.  

https://illinois.catalog.instructure.com/browse/veterinary-medicine/cou… animal-dentistry 

Cadaver Work : 

This is optional. During your externship, usually in the second week, our goal is to provide you with protected time for cadaver practice. Please scroll to the bottom if you opt in for cadaver work.  

At VETS PR in Caguas, Puerto Rico, we are passionate about training the next generation of veterinary professionals. Our externship program offers students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a 24/7 hospital, where every day brings new challenges and learning. With a strong focus on cutting-edge medicine, our team is committed to advancing veterinary medicine while providing students with the tools they need to succeed.

Veterinary students work hand-in-hand with our expert doctors, who provide one-on-one mentorship and guidance throughout each rotation. From learning advanced diagnostic techniques to assisting in emergency surgeries, students are immersed in real-world cases that help them hone their clinical skills and boost their confidence. Our mentors are dedicated to sharing their knowledge, ensuring that each student feels supported and inspired in their educational journey. 

As VETS PR is one of the leading veterinary hospitals in Puerto Rico, Veterinary Medicine students will experience a wide variety of cases ranging from routine preventive care to complex medical emergencies. Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing students to observe and participate in procedures that reflect the best of modern veterinary practice. This exposure ensures that externs gain both technical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the importance of compassionate, client-centered care.

Chicago Equine Medical Center is an equine hospital located in northern Illinois. We serve Chicagoland suburbs as both an ambulatory practice (specializing in sports medicine and performance) and as a referral hospital (supporting local veterinarians for emergencies and surgery). Externs that visit our practice are paired with an ambulatory veterinarian each day, and shadow daily appointments ranging from routine soundness examinations/treatments and preventative care to after hour emergencies and elective surgeries. The goals of the externship are to provide a high level of exposure to broaden the interests and skills of veterinary students. The extern will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, friendly environment. This program should provide the extern with enough clinical exposure to allow a solid foundation to pursue further studies in equine sports medicine.

Franklin Animal Clinic is a full-service small animal veterinary practice. We are a 13-doctor practice and serve as the central hub for five affiliated veterinary clinics, giving students exposure to a high-volume, multi-doctor environment. Students will gain hands-on experience under the supervision of licensed veterinarians, including physical exams, diagnostics, case management, client communication, and daily practice workflow. The elective includes a dedicated surgery day where students will shadow the surgeon and observe a variety of surgical procedures. Students may also perform feline spay and neuter surgeries under direct supervision, as appropriate to their skill level.

• Performing rapid patient assessment and triage
• Developing differential diagnoses and initial treatment plans for emergency cases
• Managing common emergency presentations such as trauma, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal emergencies, neurologic crises, endocrine disorders, and toxicities
• Interpreting emergency diagnostics (bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound/FAST scans)
• Gaining familiarity with critical care monitoring, fluid therapy, pain management, and emergency pharmacology
• Enhancing communication skills with clients during high-stress situations
• Understanding ER workflow, case handoffs, and medical documentation

Students will shadow our board-certified veterinary dermatologist, Dr. Britt Levy, as she performs procedures and sees patients throughout the day. Dr. Levy performs a variety of procedures including intradermal allergy testing, biopsies, and polyp removals. Students will assuredly be able to observe allergy testing, and may be able to observe the other procedures types as well depending on scheduling. Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to shadow Dr. Levy as she sees appointments. Dr. Levy's technicians spend many hours reviewing records for the proceeding day in order to synthesize the information she needs to diagnose patients. Dr. Levy will be able to describe her theories as to what is going on with patients prior to appointments, fill the technician in on the treatment plans of returning patients, and discuss the reasoning behind her diagnoses and treatment plans following appointments. Dr. Levy will dedicate her lunch periods to sitting and answering the students questions she was unable to answer in the morning. 

Student will be joining the veterinary team of the Copper Basin 300 sled dog race (https://www.cb300.com/) for the entirety of the 2026 race. They will perform pre-race veterinary exams with the team (who will collectively examine about 430 dogs) and will be on call for the entirety of the 72-hour long race to triage and treat injuries during the race. I am the head vet of this race and work for the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Students will shadow at a full-time, small-animal, dermatology clinic in Indianapolis, with Dr. Curtis Plowgian, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Typical cases seen include allergies, bacterial and yeast pyoderma and otitis, endocrinopathies, and immune-mediated diseases such as pemphigus foliaceus, sebaceous adenitis, etc. 

The veterinary student extern shadows the attending veterinarian and hospital team to gain hands-on exposure to small animal practice. Responsibilities include assisting with medical examinations, observing and supporting diagnostic and surgical procedures, communicating with and educating clients, and learning veterinary assistant and hospital workflow duties. The extern collaborates with doctors and staff to support patient care, improve efficiency throughout the day, and contribute to the development and execution of treatment plans.