Veterinary Student Externship

COVID-19 Update
As of January 21, 2021, we have decided to suspend all on-site training programs at ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA) through June 6, 2021. However, given the rapid change in circumstances related to COVID-19, and recommendations from public health officials, we will continue to reevaluate our re-opening date.
If you are scheduled to train with us prior to June 6, 2021, your training has been canceled:
- We are happy to add you to a priority waitlist for dates June 7, 2021 and later. Should we reschedule you for a later date, any fees you have paid to ASNA will be applied to that new training date.
- If you wish to cancel, we will refund fees already paid to ASNA upon request.
If you are scheduled to train with us June 7, 2021 and after, we are leaving your training as is:
- You may choose to change or cancel that training date, but we are currently assuming that ASNA can resume normal operations in June.
- We will keep in communication with you if: a/ the June 7 date to resume operations is pushed back; or b/ we need to work with you regarding the status of your NC temporary license. We have been in contact with the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board and they are flexible in terms of changing dates and re-issuing temporary licenses.
The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance Veterinary Student Externship is a two-week (40 hours/week) unpaid learning opportunity, designed to deliver spay/neuter surgical instruction, and offer students a behind-the-scenes look into the world of spay/neuter and shelter medicine.
Externs will experience surgical instruction and practice seven out of the program’s ten days, usually performing approximately 15 surgeries in total. The exact curriculum is determined by patient/case availability and each student’s ability.
Important Application Details
- The program is open to senior veterinary students attending AVMA-accredited colleges who have completed at least the course and clinical surgery portion of their veterinary training (not rotations).
- To be fair to all colleges, students must be at least a rising 3rd year student (having fully completed their 2nd year) to apply. No exceptions will be made, and abuse of this rule could result in program disqualification.
- Before starting the application process, students must collect the following:
- Senior year start date and graduation date
- List of available rotation blocks
- College extern/preceptorship coordinator’s details (name, phone, and email)
- Credit/debit card to submit $125.00 program fee (required admin fee + dorm fee)
Class Application Windows
Class of 2021 |
Window Open! Applications Closed |
Attendance Dates: Late May 2020 – Spring 2021 |
Class of 2022 |
Window Open! |
Attendance Dates: Late May 2021 – Spring 2022 |
Class of 2023 |
Window Opens: May 1st 2021 |
Attendance Dates: Late May 2022 – Spring 2023 |
Preparing for Arrival
- 4th Year Student Intern Permit application: Two months prior to a scheduled externship, we will send the name and details of the applicable instructor, with which students can complete the $25 online application for the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) intern permit.
- Pre-arrival information
- ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance protocols
- Recommended reading list
Questions?
Contact vetstudent@aspca.org