Whether you are a high school student interested in veterinary medicine or a veterinary student in your final year of externships, we offer a variety of learning opportunities here at the clinic.
High School Job Shadow
What is a veterinary job shadow?
A job shadow is a real life work experience in which students learn about the general practice of veterinary medicine. Although this experience is entirely hands-off, students are encouraged to ask questions between cases. Expectations include a day long unpaid learning experience. Through this experience students will:
- Extend career exploration beyond the classroom setting
- Develop a professional relationship with a HAH veterinarian who has the ability to answer questions relating to their position, experience and education.
- Be inspired to achieve future career goals.
- Celebrate the human-animal bond
Students are accountable for:
- Confidentiality
- Professional appearance and demeanor
- Come prepared with appropriate attire/equipment
- E.g. Sturdy shoes, khakis and polo shirt, or scrubs
- (Jeans are okay if working with equine patients)
- Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
- Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application Process
Students interested in applying for a High School Shadow Experience at HAH must be 16 years of age or older and be enrolled in high school with an interest in veterinary medicine. Please fill out the application and send it to our email (howellanimalhosp@gmail.com). After reviewing your application you will be contacted regarding the next steps.
Pre-Vet Tech Job Shadow
What is a veterinary job shadow?
A job shadow is a real life work experience in which students learn about the general practice of veterinary medicine. Many veterinary technician schools require a certain number of hours shadowing at a veterinary clinic for entry into their program. You may have opportunities for a more hands-on experience (similar to a clinical student’s experience) but typically more limited. Through this experience students will:
- Extend career exploration beyond the classroom setting
- Develop a professional relationship with a HAH veterinarian who has the ability to answer questions relating to their position, experience and education.
- Be inspired to achieve future career goals.
- Celebrate the human-animal bond
Job shadow commitment will vary depending on availability. Students typically commit to one day to begin, and additional days can be arranged subject to availability. Timing and duration are dependent on the veterinarian’s schedule.
Students are accountable for:
- Confidentiality
- Professional appearance and demeanor
- Come prepared with appropriate attire /equipment
- E.g. Sturdy shoes, khakis and polo shirt, or scrubs
- (Jeans are okay if working with equine patients)
- Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
- Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application Process
Students interested in applying to shadow at HAH must be 16 years of age or older and be enrolled in high school or college with an interest in veterinary medicine. Please fill out the application and send it to our email (howellanimalhosp@gmail.com). After reviewing your application you will be contacted regarding the next steps.
Preclinical (Pre-Vet) Job Shadow
What is a veterinary job shadow?
A job shadow is a real life work experience in which students learn about the general practice of veterinary medicine. Many veterinary schools require a certain number of hours shadowing at a veterinary clinic for entry into their program. You may have opportunities for a more hands-on experience (similar to a clinical student’s experience) but typically more limited. Through this experience students will:
- Extend career exploration beyond the classroom setting
- Develop a professional relationship with a HAH veterinarian who has the ability to answer questions relating to their position, experience and education.
- Be inspired to achieve future career goals.
- Celebrate the human-animal bond
Job shadow commitment will vary depending on availability. Students typically commit to one day to begin, and additional days can be arranged subject to availability. Timing and duration are dependent on the veterinarian’s schedule.
Students are accountable for:
- Confidentiality
- Professional appearance and demeanor
- Come prepared with appropriate attire /equipment
- E.g. Sturdy shoes, khakis and polo shirt, or scrubs
- (Jeans are okay if working with equine patients)
- Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
- Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application Process
Students interested in applying to shadow at HAH must be enrolled in college or veterinary school with an interest in veterinary medicine. Please fill out the application and send it to our email (howellanimalhosp@gmail.com). After reviewing your application you will be contacted regarding the next steps.
Clinical Veterinary Externship
Our goal is to aid in the education of eager veterinary and technician/nursing students while maintaining a high level of patient care and client communication. An extern (veterinary or technician student) would be expected to work 30-50 hours per week alongside the doctors in either the small animal or equine division during normal business hours. Specific goals would be discussed and completed by the end of the program, with the intent to cater to the specific goals and interests of each student.
Estimated Externship Workload: Externs are actively involved in either ambulatory or hospital cases. Externs are expected to arrive at the start of the day (varies by species) and are expected to work along the assigned veterinarian for the entire day.
Goals of Externship: Our objective is to provide veterinary students with the opportunity to gain experience in a general private practice setting. Our program is designed to be hands-on and focused on practical skills and knowledge that will be useful in the veterinary field. Externs work closely with our veterinarians during the course of their visit and will be expected to complete a series of tasks during their stay (varies by species).
Insurance: We require each extern student to carry AVMA PLIT insurance (free to AVMA student members) before handling any animals. We do not provide any health insurance or workers compensation for externs.
Fees/Costs/Stipends: We do not charge visiting students for participation in our externship program nor do we provide any compensation / payment to externs.
Housing: Externs are responsible for their own housing arrangements.
Students are accountable for:
- Confidentiality
- Professional appearance and demeanor
- Come prepared with appropriate attire /equipment
- E.g. Sturdy shoes, khakis and polo shirt, or scrubs
- (Jeans are okay if working with equine patients)
- Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
- Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application ProcessStudents interested in applying for an externship at HAH must be enrolled in good standing in a veterinary or veterinary technician/nursing program. Please complete the application and any paperwork required by your program and send to (howellanimalhosp@gmail.com). After reviewing your application you will be contacted regarding the next steps.
Student Application
(for high school job shadowing, vet tech, pre-clinical and clinical students)
Please return your answers to these questions to the clinic in person or to our email (howellanimalhosp@gmail.com).
Contact Information
- Phone number:
- Email:
Current level of education/school attending:
Emergency Contact
- Name:
- Phone number:
- Relationship to student:
Primary species of interest (select one):
- Small Animal
- Equine
Career interest (select one):
- Veterinarian
- Vet tech/nurse
What experience do you have with your species of interest?
What is your experience in veterinary medicine?
What are your future career goals?