Hi there! I'm wondering if anyone has scheduled externships the summer before entering 3rd year? Winter of 3rd year is when my school goes on clinics, so for the summer we would be getting close to clinical year but not technically on clinics. I thought it would be a great way to gain some more hands on experiences in a variety of specialty departments when I have time over the summer, but not sure if this is typically done. Thanks 🙂
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Externship scheduling
Started by futurevet_2025
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You can definitely schedule them if you can find somewhere that is willing to have you! I did one between 1st and 2nd year just as something fun to do for 2 weeks and then did one at a GP that was for spay/neuter on mostly TNR cats because they got a grant.
The one I did after 1st year was at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester hills MI. Usually they have housing but for a bit with covid and even in later 2021 they didn’t have it available. Not sure if they have housing now or not, but definitely worth checking into if you’re interested! It’s basically GP with some therio but all guide dogs in various stages of training (from puppies up to ~1.5 years old when they get placed after training). I went back during clinical year and had a good time then too.
The one I did after 1st year was at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester hills MI. Usually they have housing but for a bit with covid and even in later 2021 they didn’t have it available. Not sure if they have housing now or not, but definitely worth checking into if you’re interested! It’s basically GP with some therio but all guide dogs in various stages of training (from puppies up to ~1.5 years old when they get placed after training). I went back during clinical year and had a good time then too.
My hospital accepts externs any year in the program. You've got nothing to lose by asking, regardless of how common it is.
Liability insurance is probably the main concern. At my school, we were only covered if it was an official rotation. But I think you could maybe get additional student liability insurance through SAVMA or something? Idk it was a long time ago. If you’re mostly observing and not actually doing procedures you may not need it. I just worked as a “tech” at a local total GP and he let me behave as an extern.
You can get PLIT free if you are a SAVMA member. I don’t know if you’re auto-enrolled or not but if not it’s definitely easy to do through PLIT.
Thank you! I’ll definitely look into the insurance as a SAVMA member. I appreciate all the advice 🙂
Not sure if this is what you were looking for, but may I also suggest getting a job at an ER/specialty clinic for the summer? That's what I did for the 2 summers I had free. First, I did the student job program for one corporation at a GP, got to get experience while getting paid. Second summer I did the student job program for another corporation at an ER/specialty clinic, paid, and because I was further along in my schooling I got to do more procedures such as spay/neuter and assisting in other surgeries, otherwise it was mostly tech work. But since all the drs knew I was a vet student, they quizzed me and went over cases with me instead of just giving me things to do.
Really easy to apply for AVMA PLIT if youre a SAVMA member. Just fill the application out and your good: https://www.avmaplit.com/products/student-liability/
Your school probably has a student rep that you can speak to if you have any questions.
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hi! random but has anyone externed at Houston gulf coast veterinary specialist or mission veterinary emergency and specialty in Kansas? What do you think of them and how hands on could you be? Thanks!
Not an externship, but I know someone do their internship at Gulf Coast. I could message them and see if they respond if you'd like
Yes please! Thank you!
