Offsite Electives

We offer a variety of general practice and surgery experiences for externs.  Observing appointments, discussing cases and the thought process of work ups, performing physical exams, participating in minor procedures.  If possible, the extern will be welcome to assist in surgery. 

7 doctor practice. General practice that typically sees dogs, cats, small animals (rabbits, rats, gerbil, etc), poultry. At our practice we do appointments (wellness and sick), surgery (mostly soft tissue), dentistry, radiographs, ultrasound, blood work, anesthesia, acupuncture, etc.

Students will be immersed in real life mixed animal practice serving an 80 mile radius with 7 communities, with a variety of emergency, medical and surgical cases. Receiving referral cases from over 8 other clinics in the area ensures a plethora of learning opportunities not available in a university setting. With 4 doctors on staff and ample support staff, a rounded approach to medicine is presented. Students leave with progressed surgical skills, ability to manage caseloads and an understanding the logistics of running a hospital. Undoubtedly more prepared for a rewarding career in a changing and challenging profession. 

Population Medicine Rotation

This four-week clinical rotation is designed to integrate fundamental and applied medical skills to address both infectious and noninfectious diseases in food animal populations. Conducted both on and off campus, this experience provides exposure to modern agricultural practices across the major food-producing species in North America.

During the rotation, students will:

• Review clinically significant diseases, treatment options, and the economic considerations involved in decision-making at both the individual and herd level.
• Tour modern production and harvest facilities.
• Explore diagnostic methods and testing procedures.
• Discuss the veterinarian’s role in disease control and learn how to design and evaluate field trials.

Second Two Weeks: Herd-Level Investigations (Late September/Early October)

Students will shift focus to herd-level diagnostics, disease prevention strategies, and conducting herd health investigations.

The extern will be exposed to many educational activities which will include:

General practice of clinical medicine and surgery, discussions of therapeutic decisions, periodic evaluation of extern, preventive medicine programs, business management guidelines, attendance of local association meetings, if possible, advanced pain management, and behavioral strategies including fear-free practices.    

We are a small animal veterinary clinic in Baltimore, Ohio that values accessibility to care and supports a wide range of clientele.

Students will be following the doctors in exam rooms and be given the opportunity to take the lead during exams. they can develop their own diagnostic and treatment plan with the input of the veterinarian they are working with. 

Students will be assisting with surgical procedures ( spays, neuters, enterotomies, cystotomies, amputations, enucleations, mass removals, etc.)  Students can perform surgeries under supervision of the DVM as time allows.

Students can perform blood draws, place IV catheters and perform cytology.

Students can perform dental cleaning and extractions under doctor supervision. 

This elective experience gives students the opportunity to work alongside our Director of Animal Behavior and Welfare in a moderately sized, urban companion animal shelter. Experiences include cageside rounds (behavior and medicine), clinical treatment plan creation, and assistance in enrichment programming; students are exposed to and engaged in decision making in a shelter setting to better the lives of the animals in our care.

During the elective experience at American Pet Hospital, the veterinary student will be fully integrated into our hospital team, gaining hands-on experience in a small animal general practice. Under the supervision of our veterinarians, they will participate in daily clinical activities, including patient examinations, diagnostic workups, treatment planning, and surgical preparation. The student will also have the opportunity to observe and assist in a variety of soft tissue surgeries and dental procedures, including those performed with our cutting-edge surgical laser. Additionally, the student will be exposed to advanced therapeutic modalities such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and laser therapy for pain management and tissue healing. In both routine and emergency cases, the student will contribute to patient care and case discussions. This elective is designed to provide a comprehensive and supportive learning environment that fosters clinical skill development, professional communication, and critical thinking preparing the student for the demands of a veterinary internship and future clinical practice.

Vet Wildlife Medicine

Our three doctor small animal general practice serves the urban community of Huntington, IN.  As a general practice, the student will see patients for annual wellness exams and vaccinations, common sick exams, and mild emergency exams.  Participation in examination, disease work-up, and treatment plans is expected.  General surgery such as ovariohysterectomies, castrations, lumpectomies, and dental cleanings are also performed at this facility.