Welcome to your new classroom
Get Your Feet Wet
YEARS 1 & 2
DVM Summer Experiences
Work side by side with experienced veterinary professionals to provide the best medical care to owners and pets. Expand your medical skills and technical knowledge while learning about the veterinary profession. The program is active from April to September.
Serve as the primary liaison between the student body and VCA by providing answers and resources to students about VCA's programs and assisting in planning campus events.
Dive Deep
YEARS 3 & 4
Typically 2-4 weeks, an externship is an opportunity to practice and gain constructive feedback working alongside our medical teams. Immerse yourself in daily operations, such as medical rounds, client communication, diagnostics, and patient planning. You'll also be introduced to our custom medical record management system and educational support platforms. Currently enrolled DVM students in an AVMA-accredited program are invited to apply. Externship FAQs
Internships
A rotating internship is essential if you're thinking about specializing – and also happens to be the single best way to gain valuable on-the-job skills. Over the course of the year, you'll build and strengthen your skills with dedicated mentors, primary case responsibility (under the supervision of top specialists), academic training, and organized daily rounds. All VCA internships offer high-volume caseloads, often with very diverse patient populations. One year at a rotating internship can be equivalent to three to five years of clinical experience.
Questions? dr.odie@vca.com
Questions? dr.odie@vca.com
Career planning
Explore focus areas, get the scoop from VCA Veterinarians about their experience, and set milestones for your career goals. Your talent partner can help set up opportunities that match your future interests. Our personalized programs will help you gain experience and build your network on your path to a career in veterinary medicine.
Mentorship
The VCA Academy mentorship program is just the beginning of a dynamic career path. Available at all Primary Care locations and select Specialty and ER locations, new and recent veterinary graduates receive one-on-one mentorship with experienced, engaged veterinarians. Mentorship is customized to your interests and progression is based on your pace and skill development.
The 6-month Primary Care program has three areas of focus – surgery, dentistry, and medical appointments.
The 6-month ER program includes didactic training and a 2-day hands-on ER Skills workshop.
Get the details
Learning at Your Own Pace
Learning at Your Own Pace
Weekly check-ins with your mentoring team help you decide the best next steps and tailored phases of mentorship are based on your interests and needs.
With engaged doctors and staff focused on your area(s) of interest
Along with a comprehensive benefits package, 401(k), and generous Associate discounts
For the first 90 days + continued support with increased autonomy and mutual feedback
With access to diverse medical expertise and a vast network of veterinary specialists
e-Learning
With extensive educational resources in advanced clinical medicine and business education
Through leading-edge education, real-life work experience and focused career-path building
"The program's design is truly focused on guiding new graduates on the best trajectory to begin their careers. You can appreciate the immense effort that VCA devoted to the development of this opportunity for new doctors."
Amanda Tabone
DVM, VCA Angel Animal Hospital
Our Technician Externships provide the opportunity to practice and become confident with animal care skills, procedures and client communication. We do our best to provide the time and expertise to support the skill requirements for your enrolled program. VCA offers paid externships for our technician students as school regulations allow. Externships provide a unique partnership for career development and networking.
Our Assistant Externships allow you to become immersed in our hospitals and confident working with animal care teams. Our credentialed technicians will be there to support and coach with your externship requirements while refining your clinical and communication skills. Externships provide a unique partnership for post-graduation employment and career development.
