VETS PR- Emergency and Primary Care, PUERTO RICO

Description of Elective Experience

Students at our hospital gain hands-on clinical experience with a wide range of animal species, working directly with small animals—including dogs, cats, pocket pets, and exotics. Our diverse team of veterinarians and skilled technicians provides a collaborative environment where students actively participate in patient care, diagnostics, and treatment planning. We prioritize mentorship and strive to enrich each student’s educational experience by offering individualized support, constructive feedback, and professional guidance to help them develop strong clinical skills. Students follow doctors in exam rooms and are given opportunities to take the lead during exams, developing their own diagnostic and treatment plans with veterinary input. They also assist with surgical procedures—including spays, neuters, enterotomies, cystotomies, amputations, enucleations, and mass removals—and may perform surgeries under DVM supervision as time allows. Additionally, students can perform blood draws, place IV catheters, conduct cytology, and carry out dental cleanings and extractions under doctor supervision, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive learning experience that prepares them for both small and large animal practice.

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.

Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support exceptional patient care and student learning, offering hands-on experience with modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment such as digital radiography, ultrasound, cold laser, and in-house laboratory services. Our facilities include fully equipped surgical suites, anesthesia monitoring, and dedicated treatment areas, providing comprehensive resources and experienced supervision that help students develop practical skills in a professional environment mirroring today’s leading veterinary practices. As a 6-doctor practice, we are well staffed with 1.5–2 technicians and 2 assistants per doctor.

Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?

Our hospital scheduling provides the flexibility to tailor each student’s experience to their educational goals and university requirements, allowing them to participate in activities such as physical examinations and evaluations of both outpatients and emergent patients, gain exposure to a variety of soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, and have opportunities to perform select surgical procedures. The expected time commitment is 40 hours per week.

Supervisor
Gabriel Cintron DVM
Contact email
Address

A-14 Ave. Degetau, Urb. San Alfonso
Caguas, PR 00725
United States

Animal Type
Practice or Institution Type
Is student housing available?
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week
40
Global engagement opportunity
No
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