Offsite Electives

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Proximity
Units: Miles
Address, City, Zip-Code, Country, ...
Cherry Grove Animal Hospital, OH
Description of Elective Experience:

Based on the students comfort level, they will shadow during appointments giving opportunities to also perform examinations, suggest ddx, suggest testing, review testing results, help develop treatment plans etc. They are encouraged to assist with surgical and dental procedures.

Proximity:
Maricamp Animal Hospital, FL
Description of Elective Experience:

Description of Elective Experience

Maricamp Animal Hospital – Ocala, Florida

Maricamp Animal Hospital is a full-service small animal veterinary hospital offering a comprehensive elective experience for veterinary and veterinary technician students seeking hands-on clinical exposure in a progressive, team-oriented practice.

Participants in the elective experience will gain practical insight into the daily operations of a modern veterinary hospital, including preventive care, diagnostics, surgery, client communication, and integrative therapies.

Clinical Exposure Includes:

Preventive & Wellness Medicine

Comprehensive physical examinations

Vaccine protocols and preventive care planning

Parasite prevention and client education

Diagnostic Medicine

Digital radiology interpretation

Ultrasound procedures

In-house laboratory diagnostics

Cytology and case work-ups

Surgical Experience

Observation and/or assistance with routine spay/neuter procedures

Soft tissue surgery exposure

Surgical preparation and sterile technique

Anesthesia monitoring and patient recovery

Advanced & Integrative Therapies

Laser therapy treatments

Acupuncture

Regenerative medicine applications

Client Communication & Practice Management

Case presentation and treatment plan discussions

Estimate review and client education strategies

Understanding workflow efficiency and hospital SOPs

Exposure to team-based patient care

Learning Objectives:

Develop confidence in patient assessment and diagnostic planning

Strengthen understanding of anesthesia and surgical protocols

Improve communication skills with pet owners

Gain exposure to both conventional and integrative treatment modalities

Understand hospital systems that support quality patient care

Participants will work alongside experienced veterinarians, technicians, and customer care representatives in a supportive learning environment focused on high medical standards and compassionate service.

Proximity:
Cattle Health and Reproduction LLC, ID
Description of Elective Experience:

Mobile cattle veterinary practice focusing on herd health and Reproduction. 

Proximity:
East Springfield Veterinary Hospital, Inc., MA
Description of Elective Experience:

Small Animal General Practice & Clinical Integration (2-Week Rotation)

This two-week elective is designed to provide a comprehensive, hands-on experience in small animal general practice across two companion animal hospitals. The experience emphasizes progressive clinical responsibility, integration of diagnostic reasoning, client communication, and development of fundamental technical skills.

Students will have the opportunity to:

  • Participate in appointments from start to finish, with graduated responsibility
  • Obtain and present thorough patient histories
  • Develop diagnostic and differential plans with supervising veterinarians
  • Interpret radiographs and laboratory data
  • Formulate and communicate treatment plans with clients
  • Strengthen core technical skills, including IV catheter placement, fluid calculations, and bandaging

Structure of the Experience

The rotation is structured to provide exposure to both general outpatient medicine and procedural/surgical workflows.

Week 1 focuses on orientation, shadowing, and progressive clinical involvement. Students will:

  • Be introduced to hospital teams and workflows
  • Shadow multiple veterinarians during appointments and procedures (including dentistry and sedated examinations)
  • Participate in medical rounds
  • Begin contributing to diagnostic planning and case discussions
  • Work closely with a high-functioning technical team to refine procedural skills

Week 2 emphasizes increasing clinical integration and independent thinking. Students will:

  • Continue appointment participation with deeper involvement in case workups
  • Engage in diagnostic interpretation and treatment planning discussions
  • Collaborate with technical staff to strengthen procedural proficiency
  • Participate in a structured team-based Fear Free® discussion focused on low-stress handling and patient experience
  • Conclude the rotation with a reflective wrap-up to ensure learning goals were met and identify areas for continued growth

Throughout the elective, students are mentored by multiple experienced veterinarians and credentialed technicians, allowing exposure to diverse clinical approaches and communication styles. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, collaborative care, client-centered communication, and practical skill development in a busy general practice setting.

By the end of the rotation, students should demonstrate improved confidence in case management, diagnostic planning, and professional communication, along with enhanced technical competency in fundamental clinical skills.

Proximity:
Animal Cancer and Referral Center, TX
Description of Elective Experience:

The oncology elective at Animal Cancer and Referral Center (ACRC) provides senior veterinary students with immersive exposure to a specialty small animal oncology practice. Students will work directly alongside board-certified medical and surgical oncologists in a referral-based hospital setting.

The elective is designed to provide hands-on clinical experience and deepen understanding of the diagnosis, staging, and management of neoplastic disease in companion animals. Students will participate in daily case rounds, treatment planning discussions, and client communication under direct supervision.

Learning objectives include:

  • Diagnostic evaluation and staging of oncology patients (cytology, biopsy interpretation, advanced imaging including CT, ultrasound, and radiography)
  • Chemotherapy calculations, preparation protocols, safety standards (USP <800> compliant handling), and administration techniques
  • Radiation therapy case selection and coordination (if applicable during rotation)
  • Surgical oncology principles, including tumor margins, biopsy techniques, and perioperative management
  • Management of oncologic emergencies (tumor lysis syndrome, hypercalcemia, hemorrhage, etc.)
  • Pain management, palliative care, and quality-of-life discussions
  • Client communication in complex and end-of-life scenarios
  • Integration of Fear Free principles in oncology patient care

Students will be expected to actively participate in case discussions, review current literature when applicable, and present at least one brief case or topic review during the rotation.

The rotation emphasizes collaboration, advanced specialty workflow, and compassionate care for patients with complex oncologic conditions in a high-standard referral hospital environment.

Proximity:
Banfield Pet Hospital, Westerville, OH
Description of Elective Experience:

Students in the Banfield Externship Program will: 

• Gain real-world experience through exposure to full-service hospitals and techniques under the watchful care of a personal coach 

• Develop medical and surgical skills under the care of a licensed coach as allowed by state regulations. 

• Learn to practice veterinary medicine within a well-equipped hospital. 

• Perfect physical examination skills using Banfield's proprietary computer-guided exam minimum standards. 

• Learn about the business of veterinary practice through exposure to Banfield's marketing and leadership initiatives.

Proximity:
Lancaster Animal Clinic, OH
Description of Elective Experience:

Veterinary Student Externship

At Lancaster Animal Clinic

Join our fun, collaborative 7-doctor practice for a hands-on externship experience working with dogs, cats, and exotic mammals and reptiles. Students gain exposure to both surgery and clinical medicine in a supportive, team-oriented environment.

Each extern is paired with a different doctor each day to follow the flow of appointments, develop diagnostic plans, create differentials and treatment plans, and build practical clinical skills. Students are encouraged to actively participate and gain meaningful hands-on experience while learning in a positive, mentorship-focused setting.

If you’re looking for strong clinical exposure in a welcoming, privately owned practice, we’d love to connect!

Proximity:
Wheatfield Animal Hospital, NY
Description of Elective Experience:

During this clinical elective at Wheatfield Animal Hospital, the student will function in the role of a primary clinician under supervision. Responsibilities will include seeing appointments, obtaining comprehensive patient histories, performing physical examinations, and developing differential diagnoses.

The student will formulate and recommend appropriate diagnostic plans, including laboratory testing, cytology, radiography, and ultrasound as indicated, and will interpret results to guide treatment decisions. Treatment plans will be developed and implemented based on clinical findings and diagnostic outcomes.

Additional responsibilities will include assisting with and performing medical and surgical procedures such as sample collection (blood, urine, fine needle aspirates), catheter placement, anesthesia monitoring, wound management, and perioperative care. Participation in client communication, case discussions, and medical record documentation will also be integral components of the experience.

This elective will provide exposure to case management and clinical decision-making within a general practice setting.

Proximity:
Large Animal Practice (Los Osos, CA)
Description of Elective Experience:

The student will observe or experience hands-on training in livestock and equine medicine, focusing on herd health, reproduction diagnostic imaging, soft tissue surgery and emergency care.  Participants will gain experience in ambulatory settings on ranches and farms, or at the clinic, with cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs. They will learn about preventive care in different species.   Emergency services include, suturing lacerations, colic treatment, delivering/dystocia, and casting/stabilizing fractures, wounds, or tendons and lameness exams.  Surgical procedures may include castrating, cryptorchid surgeries, and soft tissue surgeries. 

Proximity:
Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic, TX
Description of Elective Experience:

Veterinary students participating in an externship at Summertree can expect a hands-on, engaging experience centered around clinical observation, skill development, and exposure to a wide variety of species.

Clinical Experience
Students primarily shadow our DVMs during daily appointments and procedures. Our doctors typically see 8–10 patients per day, with extended appointment times dedicated to exotic species. Our caseload is approximately 50% wellness and 50% sick/urgent care.

On designated “surgery days,” the surgery DVM performs 2–4 procedures in the morning. Students are welcome to “float” between doctors throughout the day to observe cases that interest them.

Hands-On Opportunities
Students may assist as veterinary assistants if they feel comfortable, helping with tasks such as patient restraint and administering injections. Depending on the student’s skill level, additional opportunities may include:

  • Venipuncture on various species
  • IV catheter placement
  • Obtaining patient histories and communicating with clients
  • Handling and physical exam skills for a range of species
  • Occasional participation in surgical procedures

Exposure to High-Quality, Multispecies Medicine
We practice high-quality medicine and routinely recommend diagnostic testing for all patients, including exotics when size permits. Students will have the opportunity to observe and learn techniques for blood collection, diagnostic imaging, and patient workups across species such as reptiles, birds, and exotic companion mammals.

Proximity: