Temporary Externship Veterinary Students

Veterinary Externship

We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinary Externship in our Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) offers a hands-on veterinary externship designed for students seeking meaningful experience in shelter medicine, surgery, and community-based animal care. As an open-admission animal shelter, DCAS provides care for a diverse population of animals, giving externs a unique opportunity to develop clinical skills while supporting animals in need.

Externs work alongside experienced shelter veterinarians and a dedicated care team to provide compassionate, efficient medical care to dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small domestic species.

Program Structure

• Flexible externship duration: 2–4 weeks
• Ongoing, year-round opportunities
• Paid externship position
• Combination of structured mentorship and hands-on experience

At DuPage County Animal Services, veterinary medicine goes beyond individual patient care—it's about improving outcomes for entire populations of animals while serving the community. This externship offers a realistic and inspiring look at a career path that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is eligible for Paid Leave hours at a proportional rate based on the number of hours regularly scheduled to work.

Externs will be actively involved in daily medical operations, including:

• Assisting with and performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures
• Conducting physical exams and wellness evaluations
• Administering vaccinations and preventive care
• Diagnosing and treating common shelter-related illnesses
• Supporting population health and disease prevention protocols
• Learning best practices in shelter medicine and resource-driven care
• Collaborating with animal care, behavior, and adoption teams to promote positive outcomes
• Assisting with behavior evaluations of dogs and cats

• Valuable hands-on surgical experience in a high-volume setting
• Exposure to a wide range of medical conditions and case management approaches
• Experience working with animals of varied backgrounds, health statuses, and temperaments
• Insight into government shelter operations and public-facing veterinary services
• Mentorship from experienced professionals in shelter medicine
• The opportunity to make a direct, lifesaving impact on animals in your community

Requirements Include

• Current enrollment in an accredited veterinary program as a 4th year veterinary student
• Interest in surgery, primary care, and/or shelter medicine
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Commitment to compassionate, humane animal care