Undergraduate Equine Internships - Ambulatory, Hospital and Reproduction
**Currently accepting applications**
Equine working student program Spring and Summer Semesters
Philosophy
Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital is a full service equine practice in the heart of Ocala, Florida’s beautiful horse country. Established in 1981, the clinic has grown to be one of the most highly recognized equine practices in the United States. We are always striving to remain a leading veterinary practice on an international level by providing state-of-the-art diagnostics, surgery and medicine for our patients and by fostering a relationship of professionalism and integrity with our clients. We provide a range of services from single patient management to large farm consultations. In addition to offering educational and practical work experience opportunities to students with an equine interest, we provide continuing education opportunities to both veterinarians and horse owners.
Our Undergraduate Intern Program was established in 2004. We are hoping to find students for our hospital (surgery/ medicine/ sports medicine), our equine reproduction center (ERC); and our ambulatory department (ambulatory students must commit to working from mid-January to mid-June). Although you may be exposed to all of the departments during your internship, you should expect to consistently work in only one of these areas. Spring internships will run from approximately mid-January through the mid- May. Summer internships run mid-May through mid-July.
The internship will concentrate on surgery, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, theriogenology, emergency medical/surgical care, sports medicine, general medicine, and herd health. Students will receive training in basic handling and restraint, and will develop a set of general veterinary technician skills including, but not limited to: preparing patients for procedures, surgical scrub, x-ray plate orientation, foal restraint, drawing up medications, administrating medications, and monitoring patient’s vitals.
It is our intent that this opportunity will fulfill the practical experience requirements necessary for each student’s area of study, any personal goals that the students have for the internship and provide a realistic and relevant exposure to equine medicine.
Spring: Applications to be received by September 1st
Offer to be accepted or declined by September 15th
Summer: Applications to be received by February 1st
Offer to be accepted or declined by March 1st
Student requirements:
· Enrollment in, or recently graduated from, an animal sciences, general agricultural/equine
educational program or veterinary technician program.
· Must be at least 18 years of age
· Possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record
· Successfully pass a pre-employment and, if required, a random drug screening
Student selection will be based on:
· Availability
· Relevant experience
· Written references submitted with the application
Schedule
· 12-hour shifts
· Rotating day off
· Night shifts required for hospital and ERC internships · Weekend shifts required
Duties
Equine Reproduction - Spring and Summer
· Maintain a clean and well organized work area.
· Daily care of horses (feed, water, turnout, stall cleaning, grooming, etc.) · Embryo transfer and recipient herd management
· After-hour treatments
· Assisting with general veterinary services and farrier care
· Assisting veterinarians with foaling
· Providing support with assisted reproductive techniques
Ambulatory Department - Spring only
· Maintain a clean and well organized work area.
· Responsible for veterinary vehicle: Inventory, restocking, cleaning
· Assisting ambulatory veterinarian with routine and emergency veterinary services · Holding and restraining horses
· May be required to drive
· Students must commit to working from mid-January to mid-June
Hospital: Surgery, Medicine, and Sports Medicine - Spring and Summer
· Maintain a clean and well organized work area.
· Holding and restraining horses for veterinary treatments and diagnostic procedures · Patient care, including: feeding, stall cleaning, grooming, bathing, walking
· Assistance with lameness exams and scintigraphy
· Assisting in neonatal foal care and feeding
· Pharmacy stocking/inventory
· Assisting with emergency and critical care patients.
· Pre and Post-Surgical care
Compensation
· Accommodations provided in fully furnished house with dormitory style bedrooms furnished
with bunk beds. Laundry facilities on-site. Housing is co-ed. (Please note: You will be sharing
the house with other interns/externs).
· Weekly salary of $250.00 (net)