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Veterinary Student Externship

Click here to download our digital Veterinary Externship Brochure.


Standiford Veterinary Center is delighted to host veterinary students for externships!  This valuable clinical experience will let you take what you’ve learned in the classroom and put it to the test in an animal hospital of your choice.  Our hands-on externships are designed exclusively for veterinary students at AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in their clinical years, typically meaning their 3rd or 4th year of vet school.  Since every student has different interests, we are excited to offer these programs at a wide variety of our amazing partner hospitals.  We know that travel and lodging expenses for externships can often be cost-prohibitive on a student’s budget.  To make our externships as accessible as possible, we offer stipends to externs to help offset these costs (unless prohibited by the veterinary school you are attending). 

Eligibility requirements

  • Must be a current veterinary student at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school
  • Priority scheduling is given to students in their clinical years on official externship blocks for school credit
  • Must provide proof of professional liability insurance. SAVMA members qualify for no cost insurance by applying at the following link: SAVMA Member Benefit and Resources | AVMA PLIT

Hospital information

At Standiford Veterinary Center, we are dedicated to saving and improving the lives of pets and their people. Clients come to us from Modesto and the surrounding Central Valley, Sacramento, and San Francisco Bay because they know that nothing matters more to us than ensuring the health and happiness of their pets. We have been honored to receive multiple community-acclaimed awards, as it shows that our commitment to outstanding care is valued by the local community. 

Standiford Veterinary Center is offering 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-week externships to help jump-start your experience in a busy small animal practice. This is an excellent opportunity for any student looking for hands-on experience in a high-quality hybrid/GP and ER practice in a learning environment meant to jump-start their career as successful practice-ready doctors.

Students will receive a study guide based on the length of their externships and some recommended reading will be asked of the students. A minimum 40-hour-a-week commitment is expected.

Housing is available for students if needed and a stipend is provided as well.

Schedule

Week 1 Goals:

  • Introductions and hospital tour
  • An average day and expectations
  • Philosophy
  • Medical Rounds – daily
  • Radiology/CT imaging/Ultrasound rounds- weekly
  • Skill Sets: Fear Free. Anesthesia, Dental, Tissue handing

Week 2 Goals:

  • Medical Rounds – daily
  • Radiology/CT imaging/Ultrasound rounds- Weekly
  • Skill Sets: Bandaging bandages, Endoscope, Canine Rehabilitation, Ultrasonography

Week 3 & 4 Goals:

  • Medical Rounds – daily
  • Radiology/CT imaging/Ultrasound rounds- Thursday afternoon
  • Complete any missed discussion topics and or skills.
  • Time spent after this will be on enhancing learned skills and discussing specific treatments and surgeries as cases come in.

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