Veterinary Extern - General Practice

Hands-on Veterinary Student Externship – Stoughton Animal Hospital

Stoughton, Wisconsin | New State-of-the-Art Facility opened August 2027

Discover Your Potential. Gain Hands-On Experience. Make a Difference!

Are you a veterinary student looking for an externship where you can grow your clinical skills, learn from an experienced team, and experience the rewards of small animal practice? Stoughton Animal Hospital invites you to join us for a learning experience designed to help you build confidence, expand your knowledge, and prepare for your future as a veterinarian.

Whether you're exploring general practice, strengthening your clinical reasoning, or preparing to enter the profession, an externship is an excellent opportunity to connect what you've learned in the classroom with real-world veterinary medicine.

What You Can Expect

• Real-World Clinical Experience: See how a veterinary hospital operates and learn how the team approaches everyday patient care.
• Diagnostic and Medical Case Exposure: Develop your understanding of patient assessments, diagnostic testing, treatment planning, and preventive medicine.
• Hands-On Learning Opportunities: Depending on your experience level, hospital protocols, and patient needs, participate in appropriate clinical activities under veterinary supervision.
• Surgical and Dental Learning: Explore the principles of surgical and dental care, including patient preparation, anesthesia monitoring, and recovery.
• Clinical Reasoning: Discuss cases with veterinary professionals and learn how medical histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic findings guide treatment decisions.
• Client Communication: Build confidence in discussing patient needs, explaining recommendations, and helping pet owners make informed healthcare decisions.
• Team-Based Medicine: Learn how veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and client service team members work together to deliver compassionate, high-quality care.
• Mentorship and Professional Growth: Ask questions, learn from experienced professionals, and gain insight into the transition from veterinary student to practicing DVM.

Why Complete Your Externship With Us?

Your externship should be more than an opportunity to observe. It should help you better understand the day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinarian, explore your professional interests, and identify the skills you want to continue developing.

At Stoughton Animal Hospital, you'll have the opportunity to experience the pace and variety of small animal practice while learning about the importance of compassionate care, teamwork, and strong relationships with clients.

Explore Stoughton, Wisconsin

Located in the welcoming community of Stoughton, just outside Madison, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a charming downtown, local restaurants, outdoor recreation, and the many attractions of the greater Madison area.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome veterinary students who are:

• Eager to learn and build practical clinical skills.
• Interested in small animal medicine and preventive care.
• Curious, collaborative, and comfortable asking questions.
• Passionate about improving the lives of pets and their families.

Take the Next Step in Your Veterinary Journey!

Your future as a veterinarian starts with experiences that challenge you, inspire you, and help you grow. Join Stoughton Animal Hospital for an externship that allows you to explore small animal practice, learn from a veterinary team, and continue building the foundation for a rewarding career.

Ready to gain valuable clinical experience? We'd love to connect with you!

Location: Stoughton Animal Hospital | Stoughton, Wisconsin
Externship scheduling: Duration and learning opportunities can be discussed based on your academic requirements and hospital 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: