Offsite Electives

Experiential training with specialist wildlife veterinarian base in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Ancare Veterinary Hospital is seeking 3rd and fourth year students looking for an in-depth practice experience.  Ancare Veterinary Hospital has developed a 2 and 4 week curriculum to help jump start experience in small animal practice.  The program was developed by Chief of Staff and owner, Dr. Steve Dullard, a diplomate in Canine and Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and Past President of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Illinois Veterinary Medical Association.  He is a member of Veterinary Management Group 12.  Dr. Dullard has spoken extensively on feline surgery, laser surgery, endoscopic ear surgery, brachycephalic surgical treatment, practice management and student mentoring.  He has authored two chapters in “Secrets of Feline Medicine”.  Dr. Dullard was the 2017 ISVMA President’s Award Recipient 

• The externship is a “hands on” experience.  Students can expect to perform several spay/neuters during their externship on local animal shelter patients being placed for adoption.
• Students will perform routine dental prophylaxis and receive instruction on surgical extraction of teeth.  All patients receive dental CT scans to facilitate maximum evaluation along with bisecting angle digital radiographs post extraction or if additional evaluation is needed.
• The hospital routinely performs multiple ultrasounds on a daily basis with most urinalysis obtained by ultrasound guided cystocentesis.
• CT scans are performed on a regular basis along with digital radiography
• Orthopedic, flexible and rigid endoscopy, back surgery and soft tissue surgery are performed on a regular basis in which students will assist.  CO2 laser is often used for superior results over scalpel. 
• A state-of-the-art in-house laboratory, extensive use of cytology, patient side testing along with use of a reference laboratory is used to maximize diagnosis.  Students will be given extensive training in the use of cytology and with practicing interpretation of CBC and general chemistries when formulating treatment plans.
• Ancare Veterinary Hospital has an extensively trained staff of 6 certified veterinary technicians on staff who will help give students “hands on” technical training.  In many practices, veterinarians do not always have a technician available to perform these tasks and students often do not get enough training in professional school.
• Physical therapy is an important component in post-operative recovery of orthopedic cases.  Underwater treadmill, dog jogger, soft tissue ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cold laser and massage therapy are all components utilized at Ancare Veterinary Hospital on recovery.
• The staff is trained in low stress handling of dogs and cats, use of Gentle Leader head collars and identification of common symptoms requiring behavioral training/intervention.
• All students will have a lecture on profit/loss sheets interpretation in a successful practice, business management practices, organized veterinary medicine, effective use of staff and importance of communication (verbal and non-verbal).
• Ancare Veterinary Hospital is a Gold Level Practice certified by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
• Students will receive a study guide based on the length of their externships 2 or 4 weeks and some required reading will be asked of the students.
• A 40 hour a week commitment is expected.  Students may receive a stipend if allowed by their school.  Free housing is available with kitchen.
• Students are encouraged to view the powerpoint that is available and to visit ancarevet.com to learn more about Ancare Veterinary Hospital.
• Contact Ancare Veterinary Hospital at ancarevetlasalle@gmail.com or 815-223-1000 for more information.

This is an excellent opportunity for any student looking for hands on training in a high quality practice and a learning environment meant to jump start their career as successful practice ready doctors.

  A powerpoint on the facility is available by request.

Small animal general practice. 

Full service veterinary hospital. Open 7 days per week. Excellent team to doctor ratio and support team to assist in the best elective experience. Many opportunities to achieve hands on clinical skills and practice a full spectrum of care. Strong behavior and exotic caseload (mostly exotic companion mammals, some reptile making up approx 30% of our caseload). Ability to gain surgical experience for interested individuals. 

We are a busy 6 doctor practice that services dogs, cats, reptiles, pocket pets, wildlife and raptor rehab. We perform our own cruciate repairs, ultrasounds, endoscopy etc. Students will actively participate in all of these areas and more.

The student would be exposed to a busy mixed animal practice in a busy rural town in South Georgia.  We are primarily small animal and equine.  We have ultrasound, digital x-ray, endoscopy, plating equipment, and reproduction services available that we feel makes us stand out from other small town general practices.

VMP 982 Poultry Health Management I 

Poultry Health Management I is a clinical rotation elective for 4 th year veterinary students with an interest in poultry health management or food animal production. This two-week course is offered 4 times each year. Diseases of turkeys and chickens will be discussed. Basic concepts in poultry disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment will be emphasized. The course will consist of lectures, laboratory and field experiences.

Student will have direct mentorship from DVM while practicing bovine medicine and field surgery.  Emphasis will be on palpation and use of ultrasound for reproductive diagnostics.

This veterinary externship provides an independent study experience for the veterinary student to be exposed to clinical avian medicine. The actual subject matter covered and experience gained will vary from day to day based on the MAM classes being taught at the time and the clinical/laboratory submission case load; there may be some days where there are minimal clinical activities and/or class work occurring.  Prospective externship students must complete the one page study plan, outlining the goals they have for the externship and selecting a poultry topic (ie. disease, management, welfare etc.) to complete a short literature review and/or 15 minute presentation on.  The selected topic must be approved by a PDRC clinician prior to the start of the externship. 

The student will ride on farm calls that range from dairy production medicine to bovine surgery and equine medicine and surgery ranging from preventative care to lameness to dentistry to reproduction.