Veterinary Externship: Mentorship & Hands-On Skills

Externships

Our externship program is open to current veterinary students and typically spans 1‑2 weeks, which can be completed at any year of your veterinary education. We provide a stipend of $500 per week for students that are within 12 months of graduating veterinary school (i.e., clinical year). Veterinary students in years 1‑3 can also schedule externships if a willing hospital or clinic is available.

A limited number of hospitals offer housing in lieu of weekly pay. With over 75 locations across the United States, opportunities are available in General Practice, Emergency Medicine, Specialty, Mixed Animal, or Equine.

Our mentorship program is personalized. It may include regular check‑ins with senior members, visits to other area hospitals for specific training, or bringing in outside experts to hone your skills. Through mentorship you will:

• Develop tools to contribute to a healthy workplace culture
• Build confidence in taking on challenging cases with enthusiasm
• Learn skills not taught in vet school to drive good medicine
• Learn skills to keep the "why" alive in your professional journey
• Coaching in veterinary financial literacy and management
• Learn from Lakefield mentors/doctors with advanced medicine, surgery, and dentistry skills
• Create new graduate groups for additional CE, leadership training, and general check‑ins

Associate Veterinarian opportunities are available at one of our many locations across the U.S. for qualified externs.