Student externs participate in the daily medical management of a wide variety of species, including terrestrial and aquatic animals ranging from terrestrial mammals to marine mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds. Students participate in elective preventive medicine exams and management of active and chronic clinical cases. Experience gained includes refining physical examination skills, record writing, diagnostic sample collection and interpretation, as well as practical experience with anesthesia and necropsy of exotic species.
Hospital staff consists of the head veterinarian (ACZM Diplomate), associate veterinarian, an intern veterinarian, a full-time technician, and a part-time technician. On-site equipment includes: digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscope, large and small animal ventillators, fully equipped surgical suite, in-house laboratory and pharmacy. We also work very closely with local specialty clinic and have ready access to MRI, CR, and a host of specialists (internists, surgeons, neurologists, radiolologist, oncologists, and criticalists).
Students are expected to work 5 days a week - typically Monday through Friday, 8:00- 5:00 p.m. However, veterinarians are on site 7 days a week and the student is expected to attend unusual or emergency procedures that may occur on the weekend days to gain the most out of their externship. Students primarily shadow the staff clinicians but are expected to perform exams (under supervision), and they have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with sample collection in patients that are stable and not considered fragile/high risk. Students are expected to enter medical reports for assigned cases and entries are evaluated by staff clinicians.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
United States