Offsite Electives

Students at our hospital will experience a variety of hands-on clinical experience with a wide range of animal species. Our program provides opportunities to work directly with small animals—including dogs, cats, pocket pets and birds—as well as large animals such as horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and goats. Our diverse team of veterinarians and skilled technicians offer a collaborative environment where students will actively participate in patient care, diagnostic procedures, and treatment planning. 

Our team prioritizes mentorship and actively seeks to enrich the educational experience of the individual.  Students will receive individualized support, constructive feedback, and professional guidance as they develop their clinical skills. We hope the immersive learning environment we provide will enrich their university experience and prepare students to enter the field of veterinary medicine confidently with a strong foundation in both small and large animal practice

Clinical Specialty Rotation in Private Specialty Dentistry and Oral Surgery Practice with 3 Diplomates of the American Veterinary Dental College, AVDC Resident.

Kevin Stepaniuk, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC (former University of Minnesota CVM Faculty), Current Lecture of Curriculum and Labs (Dentistry and Oral Surgery) at Oklahoma State University, and Laboratory Teaching at Oregon State University CVM

Alice Sievers DVM, DAVDC, Current lecturer and laboratory instructor at Oregon State University (Dentistry and Oral Surgery). 

1. Client/patient intake with history, presenting problem - SOAP format
2. Triage of patients
3. Formulating list of rule outs and needed testing
4. Instructing/performing/assisting with testing
5. Interpretation of test results
6. Treatment planning and implementation
7. Communication of results, treatment plan with client

8. Surgical planning and performance of surgery

   A typical day at a Las Vegas veterinary hospital for small animals.

We have a great work place focused on patient care and team work. Our externs have the opportunity to learn from a wonderful team of doctors and registered technicians. We allow our externs to follow along in appointments ranging from general wellness and preventative medicine to injury/illness and emergency appointments. Our veterinarians performed routine surgeries (spays, neuters, lump removals) to  emergency procedures (splenectomies, explanatories, and more) allowing our externs to follow along from start to finish and scrub in for a hands on experience. We value externs who want to collaborate and participate in patient care and treatment plans. 

This elective externship provides students with an immersive learning experience in community-based animal welfare initiatives in Tanzania. Participants will engage in practical activities focused on treatments and care for donkeys, dogs and cats-species often neglected within local communities. Through participation in outreach programs, animal health education, and welfare improvement project, students will develop competencies in field based veterinary practices, cross- cultural communication and community engagement.

Student can shadow and observe all procedures and surgery. Can provide instruction and allow demonstartion of procedures, imaging etc under supervision.

The Small Animal and Exotics experience at BluePearl Pet Hospital – Richmond provides veterinary students with immersive, hands-on exposure to specialty and emergency medicine in a high-volume referral setting. 

Students will rotate through various specialty and emergency departments within the hospital, including:

• Emergency & Critical Care
• Internal Medicine
• Neurology & Neurosurgery
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Exotic Animal Medicine
• Coming in 2026, cardiology

The elective emphasizes a combination of clinical observation, supervised participation, and case-based learning across both common and complex presentations in dogs, cats, and exotic species.

Okeechobee Livestock Veterinarians is a four doctor ambulatory large animal practice servicing mostly food animals in central and south Florida. We service primarily beef and dairy cattle but also see swine, small ruminants, horses, camelids, and exotic hoofstock. 

Externship Student Responsibilities

Externship students will gain hands-on clinical experience by assisting veterinary staff and observing daily hospital operations. Students may:

Shadow veterinarians during client appointments, medical workups, and surgical procedures.

Assist in the interpretation of diagnostic tests, including bloodwork, urinalysis, and radiographs.

Support the veterinary team with patient handling, history taking, and medical record documentation as appropriate.

Participate in case discussions and treatment planning to enhance their clinical reasoning skills.

Uphold hospital protocols, maintain a clean and organized work environment, and ensure compassionate care for all patients

Student will shadow Dr. Lewis with his outpatient visits and will experience client communication, record keeping (SOAP)  and treatments for patients.