This rotation is designed to provide fourth year veterinary students with exposure to a variety of species and clinical presentations of injured, ill, or orphaned wild raptors admitted to The Raptor Center. This rotation will focus on applying clinical skills from domestic veterinary medicine to wild raptors, including the importance of a thorough physical exam, history (if available), developing and prioritizing problem lists, and coming up with diagnostic plans, all while considering the major differences in approaches between domestic animals and wildlife (including stress levels, resources, desired outcomes, natural history, and finances). Students will be provided the opportunity to practice interpreting avian radiographs and may have the opportunity to practice common bandages for birds. Pending student interest/experience and current caseload, students may be given the opportunity to practice a variety of clinical skills, including venipuncture, administering subcutaneous fluids, administering injections, gavage feeding, and handling.
TRC's clinic team includes 2 full-time clinical staff vets (faculty at UMN), 2 full-time house officers, 1 part-time house officer, 2 CVTs, 1 rehabilitator, and 1 clinic manager. We have the ability to perform radiographs, endoscopy, soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, necropsies, CBCs, and cultures on-site to assist with diagnosing and treating our patients. Additional diagnostics may be sent out.
Our clinic hours are 8:00 am until cases are finished (admissions are accepted until 5pm, so the clinical work may run later than 5 pm on some days depending on our caseload). Students are typically scheduled to work Monday-Friday. There are no required weekend or evening duties. Students will always be paired with a staff member at TRC and they will not be working unsupervised. They will not be taking primary case responsibility. The majority of this experience will be shadowing, but there are plenty of hands-on opportunities to practice clinical skills as mentioned above.
Students are responsible for booking their own housing. We typically recommend finding a local Airbnb or Vrbo.
TRC is located on the St. Paul campus of UMN. Parking on campus at UMN is paid for by the student. There is free street parking near campus and TRC can be accessed by walking a short distance. There is public transportation available to access campus. Campus is also accessible by bike.
1920 Fitch Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
United States