Milford Veterinary Hospital (Milford, NH)

Elective Experience – Two-Week Small Animal General Practice Externship

During this two-week externship, the veterinary student will be immersed in the daily operations of a busy AAHA-accredited small animal general practice. The student will have opportunities to observe and participate, as appropriate for their level of training, in wellness and sick-patient examinations, client communication, diagnostic workups, treatment planning, surgery, dentistry, anesthesia, and inpatient care.

The externship will provide opportunities to:

• Perform physical examinations and develop differential diagnoses under veterinarian supervision.
• Interpret laboratory results, cytology, radiographs, and other diagnostic findings.
• Participate in medical case discussions and treatment planning.
• Observe and assist with routine soft tissue surgeries and dental procedures, including anesthetic monitoring and perioperative care.
• Gain experience in preventive medicine, vaccination protocols, parasite prevention, and chronic disease management.
• Develop communication skills through client interactions, case presentations, and medical record documentation.
• Work alongside veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians, assistants, and client service representatives to gain an appreciation for the collaborative nature of companion animal practice.
• One day each week of the externship will be spent at a local animal shelter, where the student will have increased opportunities for supervised, hands-on clinical experience. Under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian and veterinary support staff, the student may perform and/or assist with technical skills appropriate to their level of training, including placing intravenous catheters, preparing patients for surgery, inducing and monitoring anesthesia, endotracheal intubation, patient positioning and surgical preparation, and perioperative patient care. Students will also have the opportunity to scrub in and assist with routine spay and neuter procedures and other surgical cases as appropriate.
• This shelter experience is intended to complement the general practice portion of the externship by strengthening practical clinical skills, increasing confidence with common technical procedures, and providing additional exposure to high-volume surgery, anesthesia, and shelter medicine.

The externship will emphasize evidence-based medicine, Fear Free patient handling, high-quality patient care, client education, and teamwork. Students will be encouraged to ask questions, actively participate in case discussions, and progressively increase their level of involvement as their knowledge and skills permit under direct veterinary supervision. By the end of the two weeks, the student will have gained practical insight into the medical, surgical, and professional responsibilities of a companion animal general practitioner.

We are a well equipped general practice with cornerstone software, in house Idexx lab equipment, digital radiology including dental radiography, a class 3B laser, a point of care ultrasound and weekly visit from a DACVIM for complete ultrasounds, tonometry, cryoprobe, multi parameter surgical monitoring, oxygen concentrator, suction, electrocautery, etc. 

We currently have 5 DVMs on staff (including one recent graduate) and 6 CVTs as well as other support staff. Our CVT team is very knowledgeable and will serve as a great teaching resource, 

The student is scheduled on site from 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Thursday and off site at the Manchester Animal Shelter on Fridays from 9a-4pm.  Plan to wear scrubs. The student will mostly be shadowing, but based on student education and experience, may assist in patient restraint, phlebotomy, administering vaccinations and other treatments, preparing patients for surgery, performing lab tests, assisting with record keeping, etc. 

204 Elm St.
Milford, NH 03055
United States