Externship
Externship Overview:
Southern Crescent Equine Services offers year round externship opportunities for veterinary students. Preference is given to third and fourth year students, but we welcome all levels of training. International students are also accepted. Proof of medical insurance and AVMA PLIT is required.
We provide housing onsite to offer the maximum learning opportunities. The one room apartment is well furnished with two beds, full service kitchen and bathroom. Linens are provided. There are several grocery stores and restaurant options nearby. Additionally, there are several walking or running trails nearby. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations!
You will need to bring a stethoscope, a thermometer and a good attitude, ready to learn! Plan to work from 8:30 AM to whenever appointments and emergencies are done for the day.
Please let us know your travel plans so that we can advise you on the best way to get to our hospital!
A Little About Us:
Southern Crescent Equine Services is a full service general equine practice. We currently have five veterinarians on staff and offer both ambulatory and haul in services. Our hospital currently has 30 stalls including 4 fluid stalls and multiple camera stalls for observation.
Our case load is approximately 80% ambulatory and 20% haul-in. We maintain a small recipient mare herd that is used for embryo transfers as well as for learning opportunities for students. We offer stallion training and collection, mare management, embryo transfer as well as foal-out services and neonatal care through the spring and summer. We offer full dental services including routine performance floats, dental endoscopy and extractions. Throughout the year, we see a good balance of respiratory cases, preventative care treatment, general wellness exams, minor surgery, ophthalmology, and more. We perform gastroscopy and upper airway endoscopy in hospital. We have a strong lameness/performance case load and have digital x-ray, ultrasound and lameness locator available for diagnostics. We offer emergency services for Newnan as well as the surrounding areas (approximately 45 min - 1 hour out in all directions).
Expectations:
Visiting students are expected to assist the doctors with appointments and hospitalized patients through the day as well as be available for emergencies after hours. Emergencies provide a unique and diverse learning opportunity for students. During the spring and summer, students will also have the opportunity to participate in foal watch. A schedule will be made upon arrival, but we encourage you to look at the appointment schedule and see what types of services/procedures you are interested in and we can adjust the schedule to accommodate. Our goal is to provide externs with positive learning opportunities in equine medicine and surgery outside of the university environment. We have biweekly doctors meetings where we discuss cases, have labs, and discuss business, which you are encouraged and welcome to join.
Contact:
Please contact our administrative coordinator, Heather Thompson hthompson@southerncrescentequine.com for externship availability and include your CV.
We prefer at least two week blocks for visits as this allows more time for you to learn and for us to get to know you!
Guidelines for Externship Program
- Please let us know your experience/comfort level both with handling horses and veterinary experience.
- Come with a good attitude to learn and willing to work! Be ready to jump in and help!
- We encourage questions, but we do ask that you be mindful in front of clients especially for tough and potentially emotional cases. We will be happy to discuss cases fully in the truck or inside the clinic.
- Be open minded as there are often many different ways to approach a problem, each veterinarian offers different experiences and may have a different method. Real life is often very different than at the “ivory tower” aka university.
- Dress code is a collared shirt, clean jeans or khakis and closed toed shoes or boots. Ripped or frayed clothing, dresses or skirts, athletic wear (including sweatpants); spaghetti straps, or tight or revealing clothing is not permitted.
- Please be respectful of the facilities and clean up after yourself. We expect the apartment to be maintained and clean. There will be a list of cleaning expectations on the refrigerator door in the apartment.
- Please be cognisant of personal cell phone or Apple Watch usage during business hours.
