Offsite Electives

Mixed animal practice

Equine- hospitalization, ER, vaccinations, castration, enculeation, dental, radiographs, ultrasound, bloodwork 

Small Animal- hospitalization, spay/neuter vaccinations, castration, enculeation, dental, internal medication, ultrasound, radiographs

Advanced level experience with equine lameness relative to managing mechanics.

The Forever Vets externship program is designed to assist veterinary students in the exciting, albeit challenging, transition from university medicine to general practice. Externs will gain hands-on experience in small animal and exotic internal medicine, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, pathology, emergency response, leadership, client communication and more as they partner with a multitude of experienced mentors who specialize in differing areas of medicine. They will have the opportunity to identify and improve upon their personal strengths, weaknesses and interests as they practice in our nine general practice clinics and our new urgent care hospital. Students will not only build a strong foundation in clinical skills with an involved approach to training, but they will also have the unique opportunity to collaborate with and to direct varying teams of support staff. Forever Vets hospitals are open seven days a week with extended hours, providing externs with any number of hours required by their university's curriculum. Our structure incorporates case study reviews, personalized follow-ups, and continuing education opportunities with both our medical director and owning veterinarian. Forever Vets' mission to create a positive impact in the community extends beyond Jacksonville's borders; we strive to advance the field of medicine and grow the next wave of veterinary pioneers.

The student will attend a 2-week streak of theoretical and practical classes on Diagnostic Pathology, including Clinical Pathology, Microbiology, Parasitology, and Virology allotted in the morning period. In the afternoons, the student will be on the necropsy floor, performing postmortem examination of assorted animal species, as well as preparing technical written reports about the necropsy findings. In cases of zero necropsy cases for the day, the student will be shadowing the resident on biopsy duty, accompanying surgical specimen trimming and reading at the multi-headed scope and Pathology rounds.

During a COPLOW externship, students can expect to participate in daily read-outs of current cases received from submitting veterinarians, learn about diagnosing ocular pathology lesions histologically, assist with grossing (trimming in the eyes and other tissues received), attend any rounds available, and learn about comparative ocular anatomy from the lab’s founder and professor emeritus, Dr. Richard Dubielzig.

Poultry Medicine with the largest integrator in the USA.  The extern will learn side by side with staff veterinarians all aspects of modern broiler production starting with primary breeders through broilers and processing.  Staff veterinarians have over 100 years of combined experience in poultry medicine.

Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health (LPH) is located in Columbia (center of South Carolina). There are 3 sections: Animal Health Programs, Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center (CVDC), and SC Meat and Poultry Inspection Department (SCMPID). This rotation involves interaction with Animal Health Programs veterinarians, SC State Veterinarian, CVDC pathologists, and SCMPID veterinarians.  The student will travel to livestock/poultry producers, livestock auction markets, and LPH activities to ensure compliance with all South Carolina and Federal regulations. Rotation often includes the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center with livestock necropsies and subsequent testing.

Dairyside Veterinary Service (former owner started practice in 1956) is a 5 doctor practice that has a total of over 75 years of experience in dairy, small ruminant, equine, and swine ambulatory services.  Practice area encompasses part or all of 4 counties and is situated in rural south-central Pennsylvania in an agriculture intense area that includes both animal and crop/orchard/truck farming.  Farms range in size from hobby farms up to 2500 head dairy farms.

Veterinary students will be expected to participate actively in all aspects of large animal practice on a daily basis.  This includes, but is not limited to, animal handling of all species worked with, physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment protocols.  Students will also have extensive experience with on-farm surgical procedures and anesthesia.  Close supervision and mentoring will be available at all times. Student safety will be of utmost importance.

Dr McCaffrey is a certified hospice and palliative care veterinarian.  She received this certification through the IAAHPC in 2018. Following certification she opened Senior Pet Vet, a mobile integrative practice focused solely on the care of senior patients in need of hospice or palliative care.  Referrals come from local general practitioners as well as regional specialty centers.  Dr McCaffrey has also completed the acupuncture course at Chi University (2019), so acupuncture is regularly used in case management.  

The student completing this elective will gain valuable insight into quality of life conversations with pet families. There will be frequent exposure to in-home euthanasia utilizing a variety of techniques (intravenous as well as intraorgan). Integrative case management for palliative/hospice cases will be seen regularly.  Complex oncology/internal medicine cases are frequently encountered, students will learn how to manage multiple chronic and life limiting diseases with comfort care being the primary focus.  Multi-modal and alternative pain management strategies will be covered as well.  

Assuming availability of an owner-donated animal, a wet lab will be performed during the externship teaching intra-organ euthanasia techniques.

A full day of the externship will be dedicated to visiting and touring through a pet crematory. 

Students can expect in-depth case review/lessons on incoming hospice patients. 

Veterinary students will have the chance to gain abundant mixed animal practice experience in suburban/rural Kentucky.