Recommended 4th year rotations for surgical experience

[dogtortori]

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Hi! Current 3rd year LIU vet student. I'm currently preparing to organize my 4th year clinical year schedule since we follow a distributive model. I would like to find rotations that allow for high volume spay neuter and surgical experience. I've heard about the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance so that is on my list, however, I know how competitive it gets. I'm looking for alternative rotations if anyone has any! I want to work with dogs and cats, potentially with small exotics/pocket pets. Thank you! I really want to have a clinical year where I get to hone on my surgical skills as my current externships over the summer are more focused on shadowing and getting used to an ER environment, and I feel quite behind on my surgical experience as a 3rd year student.

 

[battie]

I would suggest literally any shelter/rescue with a brick and mortar facility where you want to end up practicing. Sure, you have these big programs such as ASPCA, but there are plenty of smaller shelters that want to teach. You just have to go find them; your less likely to get primary surgeon experience in general practices and such due to client interactions.

I feel quite behind on my surgical experience as a 3rd year student.

Don't worry! I graduated with half a neuter and half a spay. You're already ahead of where I was! 🧡

 

[dogtortori]

I would suggest literally any shelter/rescue with a brick and mortar facility where you want to end up practicing. Sure, you have these big programs such as ASPCA, but there are plenty of smaller shelters that want to teach. You just have to go find them; your less likely to get primary surgeon experience in general practices and such due to client interactions.



Don't worry! I graduated with half a neuter and half a spay. You're already ahead of where I was! 🧡

Thank you! I worked in a shelter, am interested in pursuing shelter medicine, so it works out! I will definitely look into this.

 

[vampyrica]

Hi! Current 3rd year LIU vet student. I'm currently preparing to organize my 4th year clinical year schedule since we follow a distributive model. I would like to find rotations that allow for high volume spay neuter and surgical experience. I've heard about the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance so that is on my list, however, I know how competitive it gets. I'm looking for alternative rotations if anyone has any! I want to work with dogs and cats, potentially with small exotics/pocket pets. Thank you! I really want to have a clinical year where I get to hone on my surgical skills as my current externships over the summer are more focused on shadowing and getting used to an ER environment, and I feel quite behind on my surgical experience as a 3rd year student.

the shelter i used to work at had PennVet students come to do spays and neuters! they did atleast 2-3 a day (or more or less depending on their comfort)

i can give you the info if you’d like

 

[supershorty]

Agreed with the shelter suggestions. I also got more surgical experience as a student externing at small private practices that really enjoyed teaching.

I'd still try for ASPCA, though if you're already a 3rd year, it may be too late to get in with them for your 4th year. They fill up fast.

 

[dogtortori]

Agreed with the shelter suggestions. I also got more surgical experience as a student externing at small private practices that really enjoyed teaching.

I'd still try for ASPCA, though if you're already a 3rd year, it may be too late to get in with them for your 4th year. They fill up fast.

thank you! and the application doesn’t open until September for us so I plan on applying the second it opens!

 

[dogtortori]

the shelter i used to work at had PennVet students come to do spays and neuters! they did atleast 2-3 a day (or more or less depending on their comfort)

i can give you the info if you’d like

I would love that!! Thank you so much!

 

[vampyrica]

I would love that!! Thank you so much!

just pmed you!

 

[OncoMitts]

I just started 4th year, but I am doing a spay/neuter externship at Operation Catnip in Gainesville, FL that I heard good things about!

 

[katiemcat]

I just started 4th year, but I am doing a spay/neuter externship at Operation Catnip in Gainesville, FL that I heard good things about!

Don’t know if I’ve talked to you about this before but I love love OC! Have so much fun

 

[WonderingStudent]

I did a rotation with Wayside Waifs. It is a common spay/neuter rotation for Iowa vet students so they are well versed on teaching vet students and you do get to do a lot of spay/neuter experience. But ASPCA spay/neuter alliance is a lot more teaching and more available during surgery for questions. ASPCA vet overseeing us was watching our surgeries throughout while Wayside Waifs the vet was doing their own work. Rural Area Veterinary Service allows students from all years to get surgical and anesthesia experience with spay/neuter but is not as many (usually not solo sxs) compared to other 4th year programs + their application is typically in the fall/winter.