Offsite Electives

Our five-doctor small animal general practice leans towards dentistry and integrative medicine. We have a Board Certified Veterinary Dentist, a dental residency trained DVM, a DVM with a special interest in Dentistry, and two general practice vets - one of which being our Medical Director who is certified in chiropractic and acupuncture from the Chi Institute. We are located in South Florida with a varied client base, mostly varied due to the dental referrals from hundreds of practices in the tri-county area and beyond. 

Students will work closely with the supervising Medical Director to gain experience in gathering patient histories, performing physical exams, creation of treatment plans, diagnostics, dentistry services, observing/assisting or performing surgical procedures, and medical management of patients. In addition to practicing their clinical skills, student externs will have the opportunity to practice their communication skills with the medical team, support staff, and clients. 

Advanced dentistry procedures happen 3-4 days a week, depending on schedules. During their time in hospital, students may witness root canals, full mouth extractions, jaw fracture repairs, mandibulectomies, oral mass removals and a variety of other complicated dental issues. 

The primary focus of the elective is exposure to and direct application of skills and knowledge needed in a companion animal veterinary practice.  

1. The student will shadow the veterinarian in exam rooms and learn how to communicate with clients as well as increase comfort in patient interactions.  
2. The student will perform nose-to-tail physical exams.
3. The student and DVM will discuss cases and determine treatment plans together.  
4. The student will have the opportunity to evaluate lab work, radiographs, and ultrasound.  
5. The student will discuss different anesthesia plans based on patient signalment and the procedure performed.
6. The student will have the opportunity to evaluate dental radiographs
7. The student will learn how to perform various dental extractions.
8. The student will scrub into surgery with the DVM and assist in surgeries.  
9. The student will perform surgery or portions of surgery with oversight.
10. Students will also work with technician staff to increase technical skills , such as  drawing blood  and placing catheters in canine and feline patients 

The student would have the opportunity to shadow multiple veterinarians. We are a mix of general practice and emergency/urgent care, and are open 7 days a week. We perform elective, emergency and orthopedic surgery at our hospital 4 days a week, while other DVMs are in appointments, so a student has an opportunity to learn from multiple veterinarians on each day.

Students will be exposed to a 24/365 small animal ER in Ann Arbor, MI. Students will be able to work on skills including physical exams, creating differential diagnoses, diagnostic interpretation, and treatment plans. Students will also be able to perform medical procedures under the guidance of the veterinarian, including laceration repairs, placing urinary catheters, performing cystocentesis, etc. Students will also be present during abdominal surgeries and practice tissue handling skills. Students will be exposed to specialties in the hospital including Oncology, Soft Tissue Surgery, and Zoologic Companion animal medicine. 

Student will spend 2 weeks in the clinic, 1:1 with the owner doctor covering a wide variety of skills and objectives. They will get the opportunity to hone their technical skills, observe or scrub in for surgeries (depending on clinic schedule), practice client communication, perform physical exams, and much more.

This is a referral specialty hospital with board certified surgeons, internists, criticalists, oncologists. We work with a company called Paralax for our imaging and have in house US, CT  (128 slice), and MRI (1.5T). The current student applying is planning on rotating with me on surgery. We have externships frequently as Western U rotates through our facility. We have a structured externship program although it is usually 1 month long. The student will shadow us on appts and have the opportunity to get histories and speak with clients directly. We examine the pets in the back together. We asks them to present cases and provide differential lists. They will examine the in house patients and letting us know their plan. They scrub into every surgery and assist. In addition, we have didactic lecture rounds on multiple topics. We go through a detailed orthopedic exam with every student who rotates. We perform all surgery except for total hips with advanced MIS including NIR imaging, fluoroscopy for MIS fractures, iLoc, etc... In addition I am one of 3 US members of Vet3D and so we perform in house 3D printing for complex orthopedic cases which they can get some exposure to.

Our externs get to follow our experienced emergency doctors into exam rooms. They perform physical examinations, learn how to obtain more in-depth histories from clients, help make diagnostic recommendations, learn how to interpret the diagnostics so that treatment plans can be made. They also assist with all procedures and surgeries.  This is a very hands-on externship. 

SouthPark Animal Clinic is a high-volume general practice located in Littleton, Colorado. We provide comprehensive preventative care, medical and surgical services, as well as behavioral consultations for our clients and their pets. Our goal is to empower clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their pets’ well-being, while supporting them throughout every stage of care.

Externs will work alongside our experienced doctors to develop hands-on surgical and medical skills, as well as strong client communication abilities. This externship is designed to help students further their clinical confidence and prepare for success as future Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs). We also strive to accommodate and support special interests when possible, depending on availability and opportunities during the externship.

It is a pleasure and an honor to host students, the future of our profession. The following information is being shared to help prepare students for their visit with us.

Team : 

Our doctor team consists of Dr. Kernaghan, Dr. Cortez, and me. Dr. Kernaghan and Dr. Cortez are seasoned small animal general practitioners who are following their passion by pursuing a residency in Dentistry & Oral Surgery. We have an experienced, wonderful team of technicians and assistants. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have; we work together as a team to provide care and teach students/DVMs.  

Schedule : 

Typically, Monday-Thursday, from 8am to 6pm. We plan for students to shadow us 4 days a week. Generally, that is Monday-Thursday. If students prefer a different day off during the week, please let us know.  

Lunch : 

Students may take an hour for lunch at any time during the day. Most students take a lunch break between surgeries, sometime between 12-3pm. We have a break room and a fridge. There are local places to eat, including a Schlotzky’s within walking distance.                        

              Dress :  

Please wear scrubs and bring a stethoscope. It can be chilly in our clinic; I recommend a sweater, jacket or white coat. We offer eye protection, or you can bring your own. Closed toed shoes are required. My residents and I prefer to wear a bouffant. These mouths can be yucky. Just something to consider – not required. I bought mine for $10 off Amazon. Suggestion: the surgical caps with the buttons increase comfort when wearing surgery masks – it takes pressure off your ears.  
 

Expectations : 

My goal is to meet with students for a few minutes on the first day of your externship to discuss your goals, questions, needs, etc... If your first day is when I am not here, that could either be later in the week or with my senior resident, Dr. Cortez. We are here to help you. Most students come in and say they need to “learn everything”. That is great. Just try to soak up as much as you can. If you have specific goals, please give us a list of items so that we have an action plan to work through during your visit.  

Under your externship, I am required to fill out a survey that grades your “performance”. If you would like for me to be able to answer certain questions, let’s discuss that early in your externship. I want to empower you to lead the way with your specific goals. We are often busy, and things can get lost in the shuffle if we are not intentional about meeting your goals. 

Pre-Rotation Learning : 

I recommend completing the University of Illinois Veterinary “Clinical Small Animal Dentistry" modules prior to your rotation. This will give you a foundation of knowledge for us to build on.  It will augment your time with us. You can pay for this online, or you may be able to get access to it at a reduced price through your vet school +/- dental club.  

https://illinois.catalog.instructure.com/browse/veterinary-medicine/cou… animal-dentistry 

Cadaver Work : 

This is optional. During your externship, usually in the second week, our goal is to provide you with protected time for cadaver practice. Please scroll to the bottom if you opt in for cadaver work.  

At VETS PR in Caguas, Puerto Rico, we are passionate about training the next generation of veterinary professionals. Our externship program offers students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a 24/7 hospital, where every day brings new challenges and learning. With a strong focus on cutting-edge medicine, our team is committed to advancing veterinary medicine while providing students with the tools they need to succeed.

Veterinary students work hand-in-hand with our expert doctors, who provide one-on-one mentorship and guidance throughout each rotation. From learning advanced diagnostic techniques to assisting in emergency surgeries, students are immersed in real-world cases that help them hone their clinical skills and boost their confidence. Our mentors are dedicated to sharing their knowledge, ensuring that each student feels supported and inspired in their educational journey. 

As VETS PR is one of the leading veterinary hospitals in Puerto Rico, Veterinary Medicine students will experience a wide variety of cases ranging from routine preventive care to complex medical emergencies. Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing students to observe and participate in procedures that reflect the best of modern veterinary practice. This exposure ensures that externs gain both technical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the importance of compassionate, client-centered care.