Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery

[racccjlm]

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Hi all - I'm in the process of browsing internships for small animal medicine and surgery on the VIRMP site, and am completely overwhelmed! Ultimately, I'm hoping to obtain an ophthalmology residency (I've been warned about how long it might take me to get in), and I'm looking for an internship preferably at a Veterinary school, or one with a clinic that is known throughout the vet world. I do plan to visit 2-3 places once I am able to narrow down my list, but I'm just not sure how to do that! A few questions:

1) For those of you that have been through this process, or know those that have: Are there any small animal medicine and surgery programs that you have heard wonderful things about? Plenty of mentorship, a pleasant work environment, opportunity for a lot of experience? I know what I'm getting into and that these are hard work --- I just don't want to end up at a place that is all labor/little mentorship, and where not much is gained.

2) Contacting current or past interns: does anyone know the best way to go about doing this? Contact the program?

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks SDNers 🙂

 

[elefante7]

I would definitely consider Wisconsin. At least two of the small animal interns this year have an ophthalmology interest. I know one of them matched to an ophtho residency for next year, and I think the other one matched to an ophtho specialty internship (not positive on that). Anyhow, we have a good ophtho program here so you should definitely consider it.

 

[twelvetigers]

Long time no see, ladypants. Hope all is well!

 

[racccjlm]

Elefante7 - Thanks for that bit of information! I'll definitely add Wisconsin to my list and explore it more.

Twelvetigers - I see you're still the awesome SDN host that you always were 🙂 Things are going well --- I've been lurking around, just not posting! I hope all is well in your realm. I saw pharm was your favorite class. Definitely mine too

 

[twelvetigers]

Lol. I don't *have* a favorite class, especially not this semester...

 

[Angelo84]

I think the best way is to go through the VIRMP list and pull out all the programs that have an ophthalmologist listed as full time--this alone will dramatically narrow the list. Then I would look at places within sector that have at least 4 interns. Then take that revised list to your faculty and get their input on places to add or avoid. Given your interest and how competitive ophtho is I would not go to a place that didn't have an ophtho on staff.

 

[racccjlm]

Great advice, Angelo84 - and I did just that. I'm meeting with a school ophthalmologist tomorrow. Thanks!

TT - I've definitely had those semesters

 

[nyanko]

I think the best way is to go through the VIRMP list and pull out all the programs that have an ophthalmologist listed as full time--this alone will dramatically narrow the list. Then I would look at places within sector that have at least 4 interns. Then take that revised list to your faculty and get their input on places to add or avoid. Given your interest and how competitive ophtho is I would not go to a place that didn't have an ophtho on staff.

This is almost exactly what I did, for a different specialty though.