Offsite Electives

Dove Valley Animal Hospital is part of AZPetVet, a locally owner operated family of 21 small animal general practice hospitals. Dove Valley sees dogs, cats, reptiles, amphibians, and pocket pets. Preventative care as well as urgent care cases are seen daily. Preventative care surgeries, dentals, advanced soft tissue and orthopedic procedures are performed in clinic. The student(s) would be invited to participate in consults and surgery of the various species while always under direct supervision and guidance of a DVM mentor. 

VCA Northwood Animal Hospital provides students hands-on experience in general practice medicine while working right alongside our doctors. A typical day will be spent seeing appointments and the occasional emergency. They will be shadowing the doctor in the exam rooms and performing physical exams. They will interpret diagnostic blood work and develop treatment plans with the doctor on duty.  One day each week includes multiple surgeries ranging from spay/neuters to dentals and growth removals. Students will be assisting in dental and surgical procedures under doctor supervision Students will focus on learning how to effectively communicate with clients, provide routine exams, diagnose a variety of conditions, develop emergency and non-emergency treatment plans, assist with routine and non-routine surgical procedures and collaborate with support staff in a fast-paced environment. 

Small animal GP/Urgent Care

VEG gives students hands-on experience in emergency medicine while working right alongside our expert emergency doctors. Students will focus on learning how to effectively communicate with clients, diagnose a variety of emergent conditions, develop emergency treatment plans and collaborate with support staff in a fast-paced environment. 

General exam room rotation with both vaccine appointments and a large range of sick patients

In-house lab experience including upgraded technology (Imagyst, Abaxis blood machines, SignalPet)

Surgical exposure with routine procedures including spays, neuters, dentals

Surgical exposure with emergencies including exploratory, cystotomy, mass removals

Client communication and appropriate approach

Working up cases and understanding based upon diagnostics

There will be opportunity to perform reproductive palpation and ultrasound in cattle.  There will be opportunity to assist with surgeries and supportive treatment on farm.  There will be opportunity to assist with bovine embryo collection, ovum pick up and embryo transfer.

Immersive experience with a group of veterinarians with a focus on small animal dentistry 

Assist with examinations and appointments including history taking, diagnostics and procedures (based on skill of student).  A typical day will be spent seeing appointments and the occasional emergency. They will be shadowing the doctor in the exam rooms and performing physical exams. They will interpret diagnostic blood work and develop treatment plans with the doctor on duty.  One day each week includes multiple surgeries ranging from spay/neuters to dentals and growth removals. Students will be assisting in dental and surgical procedures under doctor superision. Students will refine their skills in jugular blood draws and placement of IV catheters. 

Students will be responsible for shadowing doctors and also seeing our pet store patients. Pet store patients are dropped off at our office and can be looked at them as time permits. Students will do an exam, write up their findings, and then discuss differentials and treatments with the doctor on staff. Depending upon the doctor, patient and client you work with students may be able to do some handling, diagnostics, or procedures on client owned animals. However, this will be at the doctor’s discretion. Students should ask to touch patients before doing so. This is because we deal with exotics who may be more stressed by touch than dogs and cats will and although we want students to get the best learning experience, we also want our patients to have the best experience as well and put their needs first. Students are asked to ask questions outside of the rooms so that the client has the most time with the doctor and doesn't feel interrupted.

A team of 15 veterinarians, veterinary students and lay helpers will participate in an annual animal health clinic on the Navajo Reservation in central AZ.
Students will be exposed to and participate in both surgery and outpatient services for  large and small animals under the supervision and mentorship of experienced, clinically oriented veterinarians with a ratio of 1 to 1. Specific activities will include spay/neuter, basic medicine and vaccinations procedures, sheep and cattle herd health as well as equine dental, surgical and disease prevention activities.

The operations will be conducted on the Navajo Nation Reservation at Hardrock, AZ. Hardrock is a economically challenged and significantly underserved area from a veterinary perspective with a unique Native American culture.

In addition to medical, surgical and herd health opportunities partipants will be exposed to local husbandry techniques and become familiar with the area's flora and fauna. All students will be encouraged to interact with clients with an emphasis on understanding and addressing their expectations within the cultural norms of the community and with a goal of imparting sustainable animal health solutions.