Job Description
Are you a veterinary student currently enrolled in an accredited veterinary program? Our 1–2 week externship is designed to give you a real, working sense of what daily life looks like inside a small animal practice. You’ll have the chance to observe, participate, and dig into many aspects of patient care — alongside a team that’s invested in your learning.
The goal of our externship program is to help you experience the full variety (and the genuine challenges) of small animal medicine, so you can decide with confidence whether this path is the right fit for you.
Areas of Experience
Laboratory
- Venipuncture: jugular, cephalic, and saphenous veins
- IV catheter placement
- Running diagnostic tests (Chem, CBC, Thyroid, HWT, CPL, Urinalysis, etc.)
- Performing and interpreting in-house cytology
- Collaborating with DVMs to interpret lab results and develop diagnoses and treatment plans
Radiology
- Assisting with digital radiographs
- Reviewing and interpreting images alongside DVMs
Surgery
Externs may scrub in and assist with a variety of procedures, including:
- Routine spay and neuter
- Routine dental procedures
- Orthopedic surgeries (ACL, patella, amputation, IM pins, etc.)
- Mass removals and exploratory surgeries
- Soft tissue procedures
Client Communication
- Gathering comprehensive patient histories
- Discussing treatment plans, discharges, and medications with clients
- Providing updates and answering client questions by phone
Annual Exams and Preventive Care
- Performing physical exams
- Administering vaccines
- Discussing preventive care and senior wellness with clients
Professional Expectations
If you encounter a situation that feels unfamiliar or beyond your current training, notify the supervising DVM immediately. Recognizing your limits is part of becoming a great veterinarian, not a sign that you aren’t one.
Every student arrives with a different level of experience, and we know that. Our team is here to support your learning — to answer your questions, walk through unfamiliar cases with you, and help you build confidence. You won’t be judged for what you don’t know yet.