Offsite Electives

​​APAWS Veterinary Hospital is a unique mixture of full service general practice and shelter medicine that services cats and dogs. As a non-profit we provide veterinary care and short-term housing to unowned animals from various sources such as animal shelter agencies, animal rescue organizations and municipalities. We assist local police departments by providing protective and safe holding for animals involved in animal neglect and cruelty cases. Additionally, as part of our mission, we provide low-cost veterinary services to the general public to keep our local animal community healthy and safe.

We aim for affordable veterinary care while maintaining high quality medicine by providing more than the standard of care. We have all the equipment to support a full service hospital including: digital and dental radiographs, in-house IDEXX analyzer equipment, ultrasound, cold-laser, and more. We have opportunities for mentorship, ultrasound training, and want to help you grow in your career. We use Cornerstone software and a transcribing service to help with medical records.

Our Applied Pathology Elective Clerkship (VEM5851; also referred to as: "Advanced Pathology Clerkship") is a course offering students further exposure to Anatomic Pathology. The goals of the course are to provide additional experience in gross necropsy and an introduction to histopathology (both for necropsy cases and biopsy cases). Furthermore, this course is intended to give the student an idea of the training required to become anatomic pathologist and a concept of a career in veterinary pathology.

Advanced medicine in a rural environment.  The WRVC is a very busy mixed animal practice located in Hettinger, ND.  The facility currently has 4 full time doctors and 2 part time; two mixed animal, two predominately large animal, and the part time doctors consist of a small animal only and an equine only.  Not only do we offer excellent partners with various areas of specialty, making this a great opportunity for students to receive experience in many aspects of mixed animal practice, as well as being blessed with wonderful staff.  The Hettinger community provides for excellent hunting and fishing.  Our practice is approximately 50% cow/calf (including most of the bison herds in the area), 45% small animal, and 5% other (equine, sm rum).  We are a 100% haul in clinic, except for herd work.  Our 12,000 sq ft clinic is equipped with cbc/chem, digital x-ray, dental machine, gas anesthesia, ultrasounds for both small and large animal, hydraulic chutes and an indoor working area for cattle, equipped with a tilt table and hydraulic hoist.

Hybrid GP and internal medicine specialty care.

Countryside opportunities will focus on preventative veterinary care, urgent care appointments, surgical services, and diagnostic imaging. Client communication and team communication skills will be emphasized. Countryside also offers ntegrative therapies including VSMT, acupuncture, and rehabilitation/conditioning with our under water treadmill. We share a building with Health Veterinary Imaging, an advanced imaging center with a high tech ultrasound and CT machine. One whole side of our practice is dedicated to feline only including a separate entrance, exams and treatment area.

Our production animal client breakdown is 90% dairy, 5% beef and 5% small ruminant. Students shadowing large animal DVM's can expect to partake in routine reproductive examinations and herd checks, individual sick animal examinations, calf walk-throughs, fresh-pen walk-throughs, and herd level consultations. 

The Blank Park Zoo’s Zoological Medicine rotation provides a diverse clinical experience with zoological species under captive and semi-captive conditions. Students will spend 4 weeks with zoo staff observing and participating in procedures; however, the degree of participation will vary depending on the experience, interest, and skill level of the student. Students will gain experience in conducting physical examinations on a variety of non-domestic species. Students will be able to observe anesthesia of captive wildlife under various conditions, as well as a variety of capture and restraint methods. Students will be exposed to the Daninject remote delivery systems including dart and field procedure safety. Students will gain experience monitoring anesthesia in a variety of species. Students may have the opportunity to collect blood samples and perform minor procedures such as endotracheal intubation and catheter placement. Students will assist in laboratory testing and hospital cleanliness. Students will spend time with keepers to gain exposure to appropriate species-specific animal husbandry. Students are encouraged to give a presentation on an approved topic of choice to staff at the end of the rotation.

Shadowing the ER DVMs and nuring team during triage, client communications, specialist consults and any procedures

Students will have the ability to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of clinical veterinarians during a rotation at a small animal, private practice. Tasks include but not limited to wellness exams, sick exams, surgery, ultrasounds, radiology, labwork, etc.

Externs will work alongside clinical veterinarians, a zoological medicine resident from the Illinois Zoological and Aquatic Animal Residency (IZAAR) program, and certified veterinary technicians. Participate in daily morning meetings to review and revise plans for each day. Accompany staff on weekly rounds to discuss the medical management of active cases. Veterinary Externs will also observe and participate in: Quarterly morbidity and mortality rounds with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine’s Zoological Pathology Program, if onsite. Diagnostic and treatment plans and activities under guidance as appropriate. Shadow various animal care teams to observe and understand routine husbandry practices. Observe and assist Environmental Quality Laboratory staff with comprehensive environmental quality surveillance measures. Review mock cases and study materials as assigned. Complete a project to present at the end of the externship on a subject of the supervisor’s and student’s choosing. Other projects as assigned.

Harlingen Veterinary Clinic is a 6-doctor small animal and exotics general practice. Students will work with a variety of doctors to hone clinical skills in a variety of different species. Students will collect histories, perform physical exams, perform diagnostics/treatments, and client communication. Students will also have the opportunity to assist and perform surgeries under supervision. Students will also build skill in basic abdominal ultrasounds. Each rotation will be customized to the student to ensure that the rotation provides each student a unique experience. Students will be encouraged to take cases on as if they were the primary clinician to build confidence in practice.