Veterinarian Student Programs

Are you ready to develop the technical and practice skills to become a successful practitioner? Our Veterinary Student Programs will give you hands-on experience so you can start your career with confidence.

With veterinary clinics and hospitals across Canada, VetStrategy has great opportunities for our future associates, partners, and ambassadors. We offer the following for DVM students:

Student Employment Programs
Rotations
Externships
Extra-Mural Studies (EMS)

Select placement locations even include free boarding for students!

View our complete list of hospitals across Canada.

Student Employment Program (SEP)

Notice from the Campus Talent Acquisition Team

Thank you for your interest in VetStrategy's Student Summer Program. We are proud to offer a program that helps provide veterinary students with the in-clinic experience to support their career development.

Due to overwhelming interest and demand, all paid positions for summer 2023 have been filled.
Our team will be working hard to increase opportunities for summer 2024. Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email vetstudent@vetstrategy.com

Investing in your growth and development is something we’re passionate about. As a student enrolled in the SEP, you will work closely with an experienced veterinary team, rotate through a variety of roles within the clinic, experience client service and patient treatments, and provide care in so many ways.

Your experience will allow you to:

Gain confidence in your technical abilities
Develop interpersonal communication skills
Gain unique insights into the importance of various roles required in animal care

Your individual education goals will help identify an appropriate mentoring doctor who can support your personalized learning objectives.

What to expect

Placement under the supervision of the clinic manager and your mentoring doctor
Assisting the clinic through a variety of roles, dependent on qualifications and personalized goals
Practicing and strengthening communication skills with clients
Providing proper veterinary care
Training on use of clinic software
Learning surgical preparation and monitoring
Professional growth

Eligibility

First-year through third-year veterinary students who are enrolled in an accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program
Legally authorized to work in Canada
Available for a minimum of 6 weeks and can work within a flexible schedule of 20-40 hours each week, including evenings and weekends

Rotations/Externships/Extra-Mural Studies (EMS)

These programs provide the opportunity for students to gain additional practical experience in a clinic setting, focusing on building your technical and interpersonal skills required in this field. You will practice and extend the knowledge you’ve obtained at university, while working directly with patients, clients and members of the veterinary team.

Your experience will allow you to:

Gain practical experience
Expand your network
Understand and experience the profession first-hand
Have a clear look into future career opportunities

What to expect

Hands-on experience partnered with a mentoring doctor
Support in improving technical skills
Position is unpaid (based on curriculum requirements)

Eligibility

Third- and fourth-year students enrolled in an AVMA accredited DVM program
Available for the pre-determined duration of placement time
Accommodation and personal expenses are the responsibility of the student

Selection is based on availability at your preferred hospital/clinic. Consider booking your rotation six to eight months in advance.

Complete externship application

What DVM students are saying

I was introduced to aspects of veterinary medicine that I had not had any experience with before – I learned about neonatal care in dogs, performed a neurological examination, set up the IVFT system and gained experience with anaesthetic monitoring.

Other skills that I practiced included suturing, small lump removal, incisor extractions, dental nerve blocks, canine jugular blood sampling, and IV catheterisation. My favourite part about the placement was being able to scrub in and assist with some of the surgeries. I also enjoyed following the emergency cases that came into the hospital."

CECILIA KROGSGAARD-SANCHEZ

Student in British Columbia (from the University of Glasgow)

I learned more about interpreting thoracic radiographs in 10 minutes over a single case study than I have in 2.5 years of vet school. Under the Medical Director’s leadership, the hospital was a great place for a vet student like me with a head full of random lists and terms to actually learn what they mean and to apply the knowledge in a true clinical setting."

MITCHELL ASHKIN

Student in Alberta