Offsite Electives

The students wil be pared. One is the anesthetist, one is the surgeon. 

Under my supervision they will castrate dogs and cats, both females as well as males. The idea is that they do most of it by themselves. 

We are a veterinary dentistry only hospital, so students will have the opportunity to see all things dentistry including extractions, endodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and other oral surgery (tumor excision, foreign body removal, trauma repair, etc.).  Depending on the length of their stay, students will have an opportunity to perform extractions, nerve blocks, and other procedures on cadavers.

• Our three-doctor small animal practice exclusively treats cats and dogs. The student will help facilitate client consultations, treat patients, and have daily discussions with the veterinarians. We serve a diverse clientele and are located in urban Utah.

Mack the SNipper is a traveling low-cost spay/neuter team serving dogs, cats, and rats in Florida’s Okaloosa and Duval counties. Our mobile veterinary unit, the “Spayship,” allows us to serve many different locations in those counties, including local shelters and rescues, as well as the general public. On a typical day, our goal is to provide spay/neuter and wellness care for up to 30 dogs OR 60 cats, or some combination of both. Rats are less common but still beloved patients that we add to our schedule as needed. 

Observing and assisting with anesthesia, general dental procedures, and more advanced dental and oral surgery procedures.

Practice prophylactic dentistry, dental radiography, and interpretation of dental radiographs.

Learning correct procedures for dental extractions, including surgical extractions.

Revising dental anatomy and the development of teeth. 

Veterinary Surgery Clinical Rotation – Overview

This rotation is designed to provide veterinary students with focused exposure to complex soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures in a specialty clinical setting. During this rotation, they will have the opportunity to observe and engage in advanced surgical cases, which may include:

• Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) for cranial cruciate ligament rupture
• Fracture repairs using internal fixation techniques (plates, screws, pins)
• Liver lobectomies and other abdominal surgeries requiring meticulous tissue handling
• Complex mass removals, including those involving vascular or internal organ involvement

Students will participate in daily surgical rounds, discussing pre-operative planning, diagnostic imaging interpretation, anesthesia considerations, and post-operative care strategies. They may also be involved in or participate in discussions about:

• Patient workups and diagnostics relevant to surgical intervention
• Surgical preparation and assistance, maintaining sterile technique and supporting the surgical team during procedures
• Anesthetic monitoring and recovery, with a focus on pain management and critical care support
• Case discussions and clinical decision-making, guided by board-certified veterinary surgeons, criticalist, and anesthesiologist

This rotation will challenge students to think critically, understand the intricacies of advanced surgical procedures, and appreciate the interdisciplinary coordination required for successful outcomes. Students are encouraged to actively participate, ask questions, and engage with the surgical team to maximize their learning.

We look forward to supporting your student's continued development in the field of veterinary surgery.

This externship is a first hand experience in private specialty practice. There are two board certified veterinary surgeons who receive referrals from primary care veterinarians in the New York City and tri-state area, they carry out both orthopedic, soft tissue and surgical oncology procedures.  As a  student I am responsible for carrying out physical exams,  recommending diagnostics coming up with  differentials and what treatment plan would look like. I’m also to provide journal club presentations.

Fourth year students have the opportunity to perform exams, go over wellness plans, help to create treatment plans, vaccinate pets, collect blood and urine, interpret labwork results, interpret radiographs, assist in small animal surgical procedures, observe small animal dentistry and work on client communication.  

Student will mostly be shadowing board certified veterinary dentists and their residents at a busy private  dentistry only practice. Students will have time to work on cadavers while they are here and also discuss cases commonly seen in practice to get a better dental foundation/knowledge base.

VCA Westerville East Animal Hospital has proudly served the Westerville community and surrounding areas—including New Albany, Gahanna, Sunbury, Worthington, and Galena—for over 25 years. In 2007, we moved into our modern 8,000-square-foot facility, where we provide exceptional veterinary care, full-service grooming, and spacious boarding for dogs and cats.

We deliver world-class medicine with hometown care. Our experienced team offers a wide range of services including wellness and preventative care, diagnostics, surgery (including orthopedics), dentistry, and urgent care. We’re committed to keeping your pets happy and healthy through every stage of life.

As part of the vibrant Westerville community—home to Otterbein University, over 50 parks, and a rich history—we invite you to stop in for a tour of our hospital, grooming, and boarding facility. Discover why so many pet owners in Central Ohio trust us with their furry family members.

📍 Located in the heart of Westerville | 🐾 Compassionate care. Trusted professionals.