Offsite Electives

Students will shadow at a full-time, small-animal, dermatology clinic in Indianapolis, with Dr. Curtis Plowgian, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Typical cases seen include allergies, bacterial and yeast pyoderma and otitis, endocrinopathies, and immune-mediated diseases such as pemphigus foliaceus, sebaceous adenitis, etc. 

The veterinary student extern shadows the attending veterinarian and hospital team to gain hands-on exposure to small animal practice. Responsibilities include assisting with medical examinations, observing and supporting diagnostic and surgical procedures, communicating with and educating clients, and learning veterinary assistant and hospital workflow duties. The extern collaborates with doctors and staff to support patient care, improve efficiency throughout the day, and contribute to the development and execution of treatment plans.

Rathna’s Pet Clinic is a small animal veterinary clinic in Tiruchirappalli, India, dedicated to practicing medicine to consistently provide the safest care possible for pets. During this experience, students will experience the highest quality of medical management, surgical care, and client satisfaction. Students will learn how to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical clinical experience through supervised case management, diagnostics, surgery assistance, and client communication. Students will be immersed in an environment that works to consistently improve the client’s access to specialized, leading-edge surgical services.

We offer 2-4 week observational externships that can be tailored to the student's areas of interest. During weekdays 8am-6pm we offer experiences with our specialists (IM, Surgery, Cardio, Radiology, Neurology, Oncology, Ophthalmology) or with the Emergency and Critical Care departments 24/7, 7 days/week.

Seville Animal Hospital is a small animal practice with 2 full time doctors and 2 part time doctors. We are located south of Medina Ohio and we see canine and feline patients only. The student will shadow one of our full time DVM's listening and learning to varied cases throughout their time here.  

At Animal Medical Centre of Medina students will be able to observe and work on dogs, cats and small pocket pets. Based on the students needs and goals, observation and assistance  in surgery and exam room and medicine case work up can be offered. At our clinic, we have digital full body and dental radiology, ultrasound, high speed dental unit, regenerative medicine with platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapies, microscope for in-house cytology, and access to lab diagnostics through Idexx laboratories. Students can put to practice what they’ve been learning and have the ability to do examinations on patients and discuss preventative medicine with clients. Assisting in surgery and working on suturing techniques is available. Students can also practice blood draws and other technical skills  drug calculations and talking through treatment plans for patients.

This veterinary externship provides students with hands-on observational and participatory experience under the direct mentorship of a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). The extern will shadow the mentor DVM throughout daily clinical operations, gaining exposure to a wide range of veterinary medical practices in a professional clinical setting.

Under supervision, the student will observe and assist with patient intake, physical examinations, diagnostic procedures, treatment planning, surgical preparation, anesthesia monitoring, and post-operative care, as appropriate to their level of training and institutional guidelines. The externship emphasizes the development of clinical reasoning, professional communication, ethical decision-making, and client interaction.

The mentor DVM will provide guidance, feedback, and instruction, helping the student integrate academic knowledge with real-world veterinary practice. This externship is designed to enhance the student’s understanding of veterinary medicine, clinic workflow, and the responsibilities of a practicing veterinarian while fostering professional growth and career development.

Privately owned small animal general practice with a strong emphasis of exotic pet medicine.

Western Ohio Veterinary Services is a mixed animal practice. Students will gain experience in routine wellness, sickness, as well as small animal surgeries. Our large animal side will also have an opportunity to observe and perform routine wellness exams with a focus on show pig and equine medicine. Depending on the time of the year, students may be able to participate in c-sections, soft tissue surgeries, cosmetic surgeries, and others. Other large animals that are occasionally worked on include small ruminants, beef and dairy cattle. Dr. Deeter is also the Darke County Fair veterinarian, so depending on the time of year, students may be able to shadow at the fair and help with urine collection and treating 4-H animals.

This externship is designed to provide fourth-year veterinary students with structured exposure to a small animal veterinary dental and oral surgery specialty practice operating within an AVDC-aligned, referral-based model. The experience emphasizes the principles of comprehensive oral health care, advanced diagnostic evaluation, and evidence-based treatment planning for dogs and cats with complex dental and maxillofacial disease.

Externs will observe and, when appropriate, assist with clinical activities including complete oral examinations under anesthesia, dental radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), periodontal assessment and therapy, surgical and non-surgical extractions, management of endodontic disease, oral trauma, oral masses, and other conditions commonly managed in specialty dental practice. Attention is given to anesthesia planning, analgesia, surgical principles, and post-operative care consistent with current AVDC standards.

Students will also gain insight into specialty-level case management, including referral communication, record-keeping, client consultation, informed consent, and collaboration with primary care veterinarians. The externship highlights the role of the veterinary dental specialist within the broader veterinary community and the importance of maintaining high standards of care, documentation, and continuing education.

In addition to clinical exposure, externs will be introduced to the operational and business aspects of a veterinary dental specialty practice, including workflow design, equipment utilization, team training, and practice sustainability.

The overall goal of this elective is to enhance students’ foundational understanding of veterinary dentistry, support clinical competency relevant to general practice, and provide meaningful exposure to veterinary dentistry and oral surgery as a potential specialty career pathway consistent with AVDC principles.