Offsite Electives

The primary purpose of our Veterinary Student Externship is to provide a hands-on learning experience for 3rd and 4th year students who are enrolled in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. The program is typically scheduled for 2-week blocks at our hospital. We feel that the students who possess an open mind and a willingness to learn will benefit the most from our externship.

This 2-week, 40-hour-per-week externship at a busy municipal animal shelter in South Florida offers fourth-year veterinary students an intensive, hands-on introduction to shelter medicine in a high-volume, public-facing environment. The shelter manages over 12,000 animals annually, providing a broad scope of services including high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) surgeries, community medicine, neonatal kitten/puppy rearing, animal cruelty investigations, foster wellness appointments, and public vaccine clinics.

The student will primarily focus on performing and assisting with routine sterilization surgeries (spays and neuters) in a fast-paced HQHVSN setting, gaining efficiency and proficiency in these high-volume procedures while maintaining excellent patient care standards. Additional core experiences include:

• Conducting animal assessments and triage of common over-the-counter emergencies and shelter intakes.
• Performing and assisting with routine physical exams and health evaluations.
• Learning safe and effective techniques for handling and working with difficult or fractious animals.
• Collaborating closely with Animal Control Officers and Animal Crimes Detectives on field cases, cruelty investigations, and evidence collection.
• Potential opportunities to observe veterinary testimony in courtroom proceedings related to animal cruelty or neglect cases.

This externship provides invaluable exposure to the unique challenges and rewards of public shelter veterinary practice in a region with high animal intake volumes, emphasizing population control, preventive medicine, forensic veterinary skills, and community outreach. It is ideal for students interested in shelter medicine, public health, or animal welfare law enforcement.

Stepping into a Biosafety Level 3-Agriculture (BSL-3Ag) facility for an intensive study of H5N1 is a transformative shift from academic theory to the front lines of global health. Unlike standard laboratory environments, BSL-3Ag serves as a unique "One Health" crucible where the building itself acts as the primary containment to protect the national food supply. For a student, the experience begins with the disciplined ritual of the shower-in, shower-out protocol and the transition into dedicated scrubs and respirators. This physical transformation serves as a constant mental reminder of the pathogen’s potency, fostering a level of professional maturity and situational awareness that is impossible to replicate in a classroom.

The research component of the residency provides an unparalleled look at the pathogenesis of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Under the guidance of seasoned veterinary investigators , students assist in the meticulous monitoring of bovine and porcine models, observing the real-time clinical progression of a virus that sits at the volatile interface of wildlife, livestock, and human health. Every action, from collecting oropharyngeal swabs to processing tissue samples, must be executed with surgical precision within the constraints of airflow-controlled environments. This environment demands a mastery of technical skills while under the physical and mental pressure of high-containment protocols, effectively "stress-testing" a student’s aptitude for high-stakes infectious disease research.

Beyond the bench science, this experience offers a deep dive into the complexities of regulatory medicine and biosecurity. Students witness the rigorous intersection of federal oversight and scientific inquiry, gaining a practical understanding of how Select Agent regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prevent environmental release. By participating in these H5N1 studies, a student isn't just learning how to isolate a virus; they are learning how the global scientific community manages risk, maintains public trust, and safeguards the agricultural economy. It is a rare opportunity to see how data becomes the foundation for national policy and international trade regulations.

Ambulatory large and exotic animal medicine

I am a one doctor small animal practice. I do general surgery, spay and neuter, mass removal, teeth cleanings. I see patients for wellness care and sick appointments. I have one registered technician, an office manager, and a practice manager, that form our veterinary team. I have in-house laboratory equipment as well as radiograph and ultrasound capabilities. Emma will experience a small animal, rural veterinary practice. 

Teton Equine is a mobile equine veterinary practice, we travel to various ranches and provide equine services. Specializing in the performance horse, sports medicine, lameness, internal medicine and repro. We also provide emergency services and have haul in clinic facilities. 

Midway Hollow Pet Clinic is a full-service animal hospital whose mission is to provide the highest standard of veterinary care for pets. We genuinely care about your pets and all animals! Our staff is passionate about veterinary medicine and are extremely well trained. We strive to provide professional, affordable, and advanced veterinary services. At Midway Hollow Pet Clinic, you will walk into a calm, welcoming, and friendly environment every visit, so that the experience is as comfortable as possible for you and your pet. 

8 Doctor, food animal exclusive(95% dairy) veterinary practice located in east central Wisconsin where we provide mobile services to clients in a 5 county area.   Our clients range in size from 50-8000 cows and represent some of the most productive and well managed dairies in Wisconsin.    

Students will experience riding along daily with staff veterinarians and assisting in services provided.

Our elective experience gives students a hands-on look at a busy, family-run small animal practice right here in Boca Raton. You'll get to see everything from routine wellness exams to complex surgeries not normally done by regular DVMs, we do a wide range of soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery. We pride ourselves on providing highly personalized veterinary services to our community.Melissa will get a unique perspective on both specialized surgical care and the day-to-day operations of running a family veterinary business.

As a small animal general practice, we are able to provide veterinary students with the an externship opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience in a state-of-the-art hospital. During the externship, students are integrated into the daily operations of the practice and work closely with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff to observe and participate in patient care.

Students are exposed primarily to the medical management of canines and felines only. The externship allows students to apply knowledge gained during their veterinary training while developing practical clinical skills in a real-world practice environment.

Typical experiences during the externship may include assisting with physical examinations, observing and participating in diagnostic procedures, interpreting laboratory results, assisting in surgical and dental procedures, and contributing to the development of diagnostic and treatment plans under veterinary supervision. Students may also observe client communication, participate in case discussions, and learn about the workflow and decision-making processes involved in general practice.

In addition to clinical exposure, the externship offers insight into the day-to-day operations of a small animal veterinary practice, including teamwork among veterinary staff, medical record keeping, client education, and practice management. The goal of the experience is to enhance the student’s clinical confidence, strengthen practical skills, and provide a deeper understanding of the role of the veterinarian in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to companion animals and their owners.