Veterinary Extern - General Practice

Hands-on Veterinary Student Externship – Small Animal Hospital

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Build Your Confidence. Grow Your Skills. Discover Your Future in Veterinary Medicine!

Are you a veterinary student looking for a hands-on externship where you can strengthen your clinical skills, learn from experienced veterinarians, and become part of a welcoming veterinary team? Small Animal Hospital in Milwaukee, WI, offers an opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience while exploring your interests in small animal medicine.

Established in 1929, Small Animal Hospital has a long history of serving pets and their families in the Milwaukee community. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, refine your clinical approach, or prepare for life as a practicing veterinarian, we welcome students who are eager to learn, ask questions, and get involved!

What You Can Expect

• Hands-On Learning: Build practical experience in a small animal general practice setting while learning alongside experienced veterinary professionals.
• A Collaborative Team: Observe how veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff work together to provide excellent patient care.
• Clinical Skill Development: Strengthen your understanding of patient examinations, diagnostics, treatment planning, preventive care, and client communication.
• Surgical and Dental Exposure: Gain insight into soft-tissue surgery and dentistry, including patient preparation, anesthesia considerations, and postoperative care, as appropriate to your experience and hospital protocols.
• Case-Based Learning: Participate in discussions about cases, diagnostic findings, treatment options, and medical decision-making.
• Client Communication: Learn how to build client relationships, explain medical recommendations, and support pet owners in making informed decisions.
• Mentorship and Career Growth: Ask questions, receive guidance, and learn what it takes to transition from veterinary student to practicing DVM.

Why Small Animal Hospital?

With a history dating back to 1929, Small Animal Hospital combines an established community presence with a commitment to caring for pets and supporting their families. Our team includes full-time and part-time veterinarians who bring a variety of perspectives and experiences to the practice.

We welcome veterinary students who want to explore general practice, develop their clinical confidence, and experience the day-to-day rewards of caring for companion animals.

Explore Milwaukee!

Located on Milwaukee's vibrant East Side, our hospital is conveniently situated between the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and downtown Milwaukee. Enjoy the area's local restaurants, lakefront attractions, parks, and lively neighborhood atmosphere during your time outside the hospital.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome veterinary students who are:

• Curious, motivated, and eager to learn.
• Interested in small animal general practice.
• Excited to develop their clinical reasoning and communication skills.
• Committed to compassionate patient care and teamwork.

Ready to take the next step in your veterinary journey?

Join Small Animal Hospital for an externship experience that helps connect your classroom knowledge with the real-world practice of veterinary medicine. We look forward to meeting you, supporting your growth, and helping you explore your future as a veterinarian!

Location: Small Animal Hospital | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Externship details: Scheduling, duration, and learning opportunities can be discussed based on your academic requirements and the hospital's availability.

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: