Veterinary Extern - General Practice

Hands-on Veterinary Student Externship

Lakeview Veterinary Clinic | Madison, Wisconsin

Grow your confidence. Strengthen your clinical skills. Discover the impact of compassionate, cat-friendly veterinary care.

Are you ready to take the next step in your veterinary education? Join Lakeview Veterinary Clinic for an externship experience that connects your classroom learning with the realities of everyday veterinary practice.

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, Lakeview Veterinary Clinic provides comprehensive care for companion animals with a focus on quality medicine, client education, and a positive patient experience. As an extern, you’ll have the opportunity to learn alongside experienced veterinarians, explore a variety of cases, and gain valuable insight into the clinical reasoning, communication, and teamwork that make a successful veterinarian.

Whether you’re preparing for your first associate veterinarian position or looking to strengthen specific clinical skills, we want your time at Lakeview to be an engaging and valuable part of your journey.

Why Extern at Lakeview Veterinary Clinic?

Learn in a Supportive Clinical Environment

Work alongside supervising veterinarians and the medical team as you observe clinical decision-making, discuss cases, and build your understanding of patient care. Ask questions, share your interests, and make the most of opportunities to learn from real-world cases.

Experience Comprehensive General Practice

Gain exposure to the many aspects of companion-animal medicine, including wellness care, diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, and the medical management of patients. See how veterinarians balance clinical needs, client concerns, and individualized treatment plans.

Discover a Cat-Friendly Approach to Care

Lakeview is a Certified Cat Friendly Practice and operates a dedicated Cat Annex designed to provide a calmer environment for feline patients. This is a great opportunity to learn more about feline-focused care, low-stress handling, and ways to make veterinary visits more comfortable for cats and their families.

Build Communication and Client-Relationship Skills

Great veterinary care depends on more than medical knowledge. Learn how veterinarians communicate findings, explain diagnostic and treatment options, educate clients, and collaborate with technicians and support staff to provide thoughtful, compassionate care.

What You May Experience

Your externship will be shaped by your learning goals, the cases available, and the needs of the hospital. Depending on your training and the level of supervision, opportunities may include:

• Gathering patient histories and participating in physical examinations.
• Discussing diagnostic approaches and interpreting results with supervising veterinarians.
• Developing treatment plans and learning about ongoing patient management.
• Observing and assisting with surgical and dental procedures.
• Learning about preventive medicine, wellness care, and client education.
• Exploring feline-friendly handling and techniques for reducing patient stress.
• Strengthening communication skills with veterinarians, technicians, support staff, and clients.
• Gaining insight into the daily workflow and operations of a general veterinary practice.

Hands-on participation will depend on your experience, school requirements, patient needs, and direct veterinary supervision.

Externship Details

• Location: Lakeview Veterinary Clinic, Madison, Wisconsin – New facility opening in Summer 2027!
• Focus: General practice and companion-animal medicine
• Eligibility: Fourth-year veterinary students in their clinical training
• Typical Duration: 2–8 weeks, depending on student and hospital schedules
• Travel/Living Expense Support: Eligible students may qualify for a stipend. Confirm current eligibility and stipend details when applying.

Take the Next Step in Your Veterinary Journey

Your externship is more than a rotation—it’s a chance to ask questions, explore your interests, and prepare for the transition from veterinary student to practicing veterinarian.

Ready to learn with Lakeview Veterinary Clinic? Explore the opportunity and apply today.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada.  Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. 

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next 

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life. 

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us: