Offsite Electives

Rhino Connect is a global veterinary program aiming to unite individuals from around the world with a shared passion to provide critical veterinary care to wildlife and help save rhinos from extinction. This unique program offers students with the rare opportunity to collaborate with one of the world’s leading researchers in rhino IVF—a cutting-edge initiative to enhance genetics and boost reproduction in this endangered species. With only two of these research groups  globally, our close involvement provides unparalleled hands-on experience.

Participants gain exposure to a wide range of wildlife species, contributing to life-saving procedures such as lion surgeries and the rehabilitation of orphaned animals. Our program emphasizes the importance of working within diverse cultural contexts, offering real-world experience in community engagement, aiding human-animal conflicts and learning how to provide veterinary care to animals whilst still abiding to  the surrounding culture. 

Students in the Rhino Connect Veterinary Program are on the front lines of conservation. Supporting emergency veterinary responses, engaging in ongoing species management, and contributing directly to critical research that shapes the future of wildlife care worldwide.

Student will ride with each doctor and experience the logistics and work lifestyle of a large animal veterinarian. They will assist the doctors in exams, diagnostics, and treatments, converse on cases and differentials, and when there is down time help the assistants with tasks around the office.

We are a busy five doctor practice doing primarily small animal medicine. Dr Payne has a very large practice of canine reproduction. Oxford is a fantastic college town and a great place to visit. We have a wide variety of clients since we also service a wide rural area surrounding Oxford. We allow students to help with spays and neuters from our  local shelter, have them help in the exam rooms to observe DVM/client interaction, scrub in on all major surgeries, and if they are interested in theriogenology, they can see a wide variety of cases there also.

Wheelersburg Animal Hospital is a 5 doctor hospital seeing small animals (Dogs, Cats). As a high-volume clinic, we see a wide range of appointments daily. We also have a dedicated DVM performing surgery Monday - Thursday. The student will be able to shadow as the DVM see appointments and observe and assist in surgery along with lab and dental procedures.

Battenkill Veterinary Bovine is a mixed food animal practice in eastern NY. We are an ambulatory practice and see most of our calls remote from the clinic, traveling in eastern NY, western VT and northwestern MA. The majority of our time is spent on dairies for herd health and consulting. About 20-25% of our time is spent with small ruminant clients and cow-calf beef clients.

Students riding with out practice will be able to build on skills learned in school related to food animal practice, from palpation to surgery to sick animal diagnoses and client interaction. 4th year students, with the oversight of a veterinarian, are encouraged to take the lead on some cases from introduction to history, exam, diagnosis and clinical plan. Students are encouraged to be available for after hours involvement, as this will broaden their exposure to emergency cases such as calvings, prolapses and other cattle and small ruminant emergencies.

Four State Veterinary Services is a 100% ambulatory food and fiber animal practice servicing portions of four states in the mid Atlantic region. Externs will spend the day visiting farms across the practice area and working with beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas, alpacas, camels, and poultry. Appointments will include preventative medicine and wellness appointments and sick annual appointments and students will experience a wide variety of cases across multiple species. 

The student will partner with one of our associates daily to allow further education, training and skills in the areas of canine and feline medicine in the clinic setting. Including physical exams, lab work interpretation, client discussion of exam findings, prognoses, diagnoses. Observe and assist in the surgical setting for routine spay and castration procedures for canine and feline patients. Observe surgical procedures of mass removal, ocular procedures, C-sections and surgical dental extractions of canine and feline patients.

On farm routine herd health and ultrasound guided pregnancy palpation, small ruminant exams and treatment.

Participants will gain immersive, hands-on experience in a specialty veterinary dental practice. We focus on expanding clinical understanding and practical skills in small animal dentistry and oral surgery. Under the guidance of board-certified veterinary dentists and experienced dental technicians, students will observe advanced procedures including dental radiography, periodontal therapy, extractions, oral mass removals, maxillofacial surgery and fracture repairs.

Additional opportunities include:

• Performing dental charting and nerve blocks
• Practicing radiographic positioning and interpretation
• Learning instrument maintenance and surgical suite protocols
• Participating in client communication and treatment planning

This is ideal for veterinary students seeking focused exposure to the field of veterinary dentistry in a high-volume, specialty setting.

The program offers the chance to see and where needed, work with a wide range of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. Activities are presented and overseen by professionals and veterinarians. During the program students will learn about conservation and the role the wildlife veterinarian plays in the conservation section. Practical instruction will be provided, lectures given and in-field training provided. The program move every few days to allow students to see and experience different areas and animals while learning from different educators and professionals at each venue. Hands-on, in-filed studies are the aim.

Glades Pike Veterinary Hospital is a full-service veterinary facility that integrates traditional and alternative medicine while serving as a training center for veterinary students. The hospital offers comprehensive annual wellness exams, emergency services, and advanced surgical care, including both soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries.

In addition to conventional diagnostics and treatment, the hospital provides hands-on experience in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine such as acupuncture, herbal therapy, and nutritional counseling. This integrative approach allows veterinary students to gain a broad understanding of multiple treatment modalities