Tallahassee Animal Services is committed to supporting and educating the next generation of veterinarians. Our externship program provides hands-on training in a real-world setting where you will work with an amazing team of veterinarians and animal welfare professionals. Our shelter is an open-admission, municipal shelter with an annual intake of approximately 5,000 dogs, cats, as well as occasional exotics and small livestock.

Under the guidance of our shelter and forensic veterinarians, you will participate in a variety of shelter medicine situations including: managing medical cases of injured and ill animals; surgical sterilization of our shelter animals; performing and interpreting diagnostics (on-site diagnostic lab and digital radiology); and assisting with our heartworm treatment program. You will also gain a better understanding of shelter medicine with exposure to shelter operations including our intake, sheltering, behavioral enrichment and adoption protocols.

In addition to shelter medicine, you will gain exposure to forensic veterinary techniques and procedures. Our veterinary team works closely with animal control and local law enforcement, assisting with investigations of animal abuse. You will even have the opportunity to participate in a ride-along with one of our animal control officers.

Externship Schedule
Length of the externship is flexible, between 2 and 4 weeks. Externs are expected to work 40 hours per week with the Veterinary Team. Our normal work schedule is 8:30am - 5:30pm (with a one-hour lunch break), Monday through Friday. Externs typically have their weekends free to sight-see and relax; however, weekend hours may be scheduled to assist with fund-raising, community service and humane education projects.

Housing
Housing is typically not provided. However, with enough notice, we may be able to arrange low-cost housing.

Eligibility for the Externship
Third- and fourth-year veterinary students in good academic standing from an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine are eligible for the externship. At present, it is difficult to accommodate more than 2 persons simultaneously unless prior arrangements have been made. Students with the best qualifications, as demonstrated by resume and academic standing, will be chosen for a given time period.

How to Apply
Fill out an application online. When completing the online application, please be prepared to upload the following:

• A letter of intent describing your goals for participating in our externship program
• Your general resume or curriculum vitae
• A letter from the academic dean at your college indicating you are in good standing and will be enrolled in an accredited veterinary program at the time of the externship.

Externship programs should be arranged at least 2 months in advance of the starting date; however the summer months are popular and often fill up 8-12 months in advance. Each participant must have his/her/their own health insurance and liability insurance. Student liability policies may be obtained through the AVMA PLIT.

Evaluation of the Extern
The program director, in consultation with the veterinary team and other ASC staff, will evaluate the extern in the format provided by the veterinary college of origin. Strong consideration will be given to work participation, demonstration of academic capability, development of new knowledge, skills, and abilities, and on the ability of the student to project a professional image.

For more information please contact the program director:
Rachel Barton, DVM MS
TEL: 850-891-2980
e-mail: rachel.barton@talgov.com