Veterinary Extern - General Practice

Hands-on Veterinary Student Externship – West Salem Veterinary Clinic

West Salem, Wisconsin | Explore Your Interests. Build Your Confidence.

Discover Your Future in Veterinary Medicine.

Looking for an externship where you can learn from experienced veterinarians, explore different areas of clinical practice, and gain a better understanding of the kind of veterinarian you want to become?

Welcome to West Salem Veterinary Clinic!

Located in the beautiful Coulee Region of Western Wisconsin, West Salem Veterinary Clinic is an established small animal practice with a collaborative team of four veterinarians, experienced technicians, and dedicated support staff. We value high-quality medicine, strong client relationships, and creating an environment where team members can learn from one another and grow.

We're excited to welcome veterinary students who are curious, motivated, and eager to experience the rewards and challenges of everyday veterinary practice.

Why Choose West Salem Veterinary Clinic?

Learn Alongside a Collaborative Doctor Team

An externship is an opportunity to connect what you're learning in veterinary school with real-world clinical practice.

At West Salem Veterinary Clinic, you'll have the opportunity to learn from a team of four veterinarians who bring different experiences and perspectives to patient care. Observe how doctors approach cases, evaluate diagnostic findings, develop treatment plans, and communicate recommendations to clients.

Ask questions, participate in discussions, and gain insight into the clinical reasoning that helps veterinarians make informed decisions.

Explore a Variety of Cases

Every day in general practice offers opportunities to learn something new. Our clinical services include:

• Preventive care and wellness examinations
• Small animal medicine and diagnostic workups
• Surgical procedures and perioperative care
• Dentistry and dental radiography
• Urgent care opportunities
• Exotic animal cases for students interested in broadening their experience

You'll gain a better understanding of the variety of cases encountered in general practice and how veterinarians balance patient needs, client concerns, and practical treatment considerations.

Learn With Modern Diagnostic Tools

See how diagnostic equipment and laboratory technology support everyday clinical decision-making. Our practice offers:

• Digital radiography
• Digital dental radiography
• Full in-house IDEXX laboratory
• New ultrasound equipment
• Experienced veterinary technicians and support staff

From interpreting diagnostic results to understanding when additional testing may be appropriate, you'll have opportunities to connect classroom knowledge with clinical application.

Discover the Importance of Teamwork

Excellent veterinary care takes a team. During your externship, you'll see how veterinarians, technicians, and support staff collaborate to care for patients, communicate with clients, and keep the hospital running smoothly.

You'll also gain a firsthand look at the communication, organization, and interpersonal skills that contribute to a successful veterinary career.

What You May Experience During Your Externship

We want your time with us to be educational, engaging, and relevant to your goals.

Depending on your experience, interests, the caseload, and supervising veterinarian availability, your externship may include opportunities to:

• Observe and discuss physical examinations and diagnostic workups
• Follow cases from initial presentation through diagnostics and treatment
• Learn about anesthesia, surgical preparation, and postoperative care
• Observe surgical and dental procedures
• Review laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging with the veterinary team
• Learn about urgent care presentations and clinical decision-making
• Explore exotic animal cases when available
• Observe client communication, treatment recommendations, and follow-up care

Hands-on participation may be available when appropriate for your training level, hospital policies, patient needs, and veterinary supervision.

Have specific learning goals? Let us know! We'll work with you to explore opportunities that align with your interests and make your externship as valuable as possible.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome veterinary students who are:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited veterinary medicine program
• Curious, motivated, and eager to learn
• Passionate about animal health and high-quality patient care
• Interested in developing their clinical knowledge and practical skills
• Comfortable asking questions and collaborating with a team
• Excited to explore the opportunities available in small animal practice

Whether you're early in your veterinary education or approaching graduation, we're happy to connect with you.

Experience the Coulee Region

Your externship can be about more than what's happening inside the hospital. West Salem is located near La Crosse and Onalaska, offering a welcoming community and plenty to explore outside the clinic.

During your time here, you can enjoy:

• Scenic bluff trails, hiking, and biking
• Kayaking, fishing, and outdoor recreation
• Local restaurants, breweries, and community events
• Seasonal festivals and four-season outdoor activities
• Easy access to the dining, shopping, and entertainment of the La Crosse area

It's a wonderful place to experience veterinary medicine while discovering what makes Western Wisconsin such a special place to live and work.

Start Your Veterinary Journey With Us!

Choosing an externship is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, explore your interests, and begin building your professional network.

At West Salem Veterinary Clinic, you'll experience a collaborative veterinary team, exposure to a variety of clinical cases, and an opportunity to see how a community-based practice delivers quality care.

Interested in an externship? We'd love to hear from you!

Reach out to discuss available dates, your learning goals, and how West Salem Veterinary Clinic can support your veterinary education.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

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: