Externships for ST Surgery and Exotics Interest

[Sophia682]

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Hi everyone,


I’m a 3rd-year vet student starting to plan my externships for next year, and I could really use some guidance. While my school’s database has been somewhat helpful, I’m finding it hard to get the kind of detailed information I’m looking for. Through my experiences in veterinary school, I’ve developed a strong interest in small animal soft tissue surgery and hope to pursue a residency in that field. I’m also passionate about working with exotics and would love to gain more experience in that area as well.

For externships, I’m ideally looking for programs that:

• Emphasize strong mentorship
• Offer hands-on clinical experience (I know this can be minimal in surgery, but the more the better)
• Preferably are in private practice (though I'm open to both small and large corporate practices)
• Are known to offer internships to strong externs or have a st surgery internship/residency program (not necessary)

Location-wise, I have family in Rhode Island, the surrounding New England states, and NYC—so those areas are high on my list. Nevada, particularly near Lake Tahoe, has always been on my list of places to live and I also have loved living in California (especially the San Francisco and LA areas) and have lots of family and friends here. Other locations would be fine too though if it was a fantastic experience.

I am looking to take three externships. So far, I’m looking into:

• Ocean State Veterinary Specialists (RI)
• The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine (NYC)

If you have any great experiences at a hospital for ST surgery internships (especially if they see exotics) or residency I'd love to hear more about that too as I start thinking about that as well.


If anyone has recommendations or personal experience with externships that align with these interests, I’d be incredibly grateful for your input!


Thanks so much in advance!

 

[_rae_]

Hello!

I am only a second year, but I worked at MSPCA Angell as an assistant for a long time and can vouch for their exotics and surgery departments. My own rabbit had an emergency liver lobectomy with a surgical resident back in 2021. I can't speak to whether they take externs into heavier consideration, but I can say that they have their own avian/exotic internship as well as surgical internships and residencies.

Angell is known for being a difficult rotating, and like any hospitals it's got its pros and cons, but as far as the east coast goes, they come to mind immediately.

 

[supershorty]

st surgery internship/residency program (not necessary)

I just want to make sure you're aware that surgery residencies are ALL surgery, not just soft.
There are some specialty internships out there for ortho, and some for surg onc. I'm not aware of any that are only soft.

 

[Sophia682]

I just want to make sure you're aware that surgery residencies are ALL surgery, not just soft.
There are some specialty internships out there for ortho, and some for surg onc. I'm not aware of any that are only soft.

Ah yes that was my mistake! Thank you for checking

 

[Sophia682]

Hello!

I am only a second year, but I worked at MSPCA Angell as an assistant for a long time and can vouch for their exotics and surgery departments. My own rabbit had an emergency liver lobectomy with a surgical resident back in 2021. I can't speak to whether they take externs into heavier consideration, but I can say that they have their own avian/exotic internship as well as surgical internships and residencies.

Angell is known for being a difficult rotating, and like any hospitals it's got its pros and cons, but as far as the east coast goes, they come to mind immediately.

I don't actually know much about them, why are they a difficult rotating?

 

[_rae_]

I don't actually know much about them, why are they a difficult rotating?

High demand and caseload, crummy hours, you have support but you get thrown in feet first basically day one, and it's a LOT of ER. VIRMP usually posts the results of the anonymous surveys from previous interns. I know interns who both loved and hated their time there; some who would never go back, and some who stayed on to do specialty internships, residencies, and then become staff doctors. Best bet will be checking out their page on VIRMP and trying to chat with current interns since it's been a few years since I was there at this point.