DVM Student Externships

The Department offers varied externship opportunities for DVM students interested in obtaining experience in diseases of food and companion animals. We offer a 10-week summer externship that provides experience in diagnostic veterinary medicine, and research. Previous recipients have been supported through the Kelly Palm Memorial Externship fund, or the Kurt Swanson Bucholz Veterinary Science training fund through the UW foundation. These independent funds were established by family members in memory of Drs. Kelly Palm and Kurt Bucholz, respectively, who were both Wyoming veterinarians. Dr. Palm ran a mixed animal practice in Laramie. Dr. Bucholz was a large animal veterinarian who was interested in wildlife. He was also elected to a seat in the Wyoming State House of Representatives.

In addition to the summer externship we offer other ad-hoc externship opportunities for DVM students interested in diagnostic veterinary medicine of domestic animals and wildlife.

These externship opportunities were established to expose veterinary students to diagnostic veterinary medicine in a publicly subsidized animal health laboratory. Treatment of individual animals is not part of these externships. Major objectives are to acquaint the veterinary student with:

Necropsy and microscopic pathology of diseases of domestic and wild animals
The full-range of diagnostic disciplines (e.g., microbiology, virology, toxicology, parasitology, clinical pathology, and serology) in establishing the basis of animal disease
Interaction with veterinary clients

The summer 10-week externship is a competitive, funded, 1-credit externship, with one student selected annually for a 10 week period. In addition to the above diagnostic experience, the student completes a short research project focused on diseases of livestock or companion animals.

Eligibility

The externship opportunities are available to students in good standing who have successfully completed their first, second or third year of professional veterinary medical education at a College (or School) of Veterinary Medicine. Students must be vaccinated against rabies and have their own health insurance. Students from all AVMA-accredited veterinary schools are encouraged to apply. Selection will be based on qualifications as demonstrated by resume and academic standing. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. Applicants for the summer externship must be received by the end of March to ensure full consideration. Other applications are accepted year round.

Questions and Applications

For the summer externship opportunity send enquiries / applications to Dr. Fox (jfox7@uwyo.edu).

For other WSVL diagnostic externships contact Dr. O’Toole (dot@uwyo.edu), the head of the Diagnostic Externship Program. Mailing address is below.

Applications should provide a resume of professional and academic experience and include the time period(s) preferred for the externship in a cover letter. A letter from the applicant’s academic dean indicating approval of the externship is also required.

Please contact the head of the Diagnostic Externship Program with applications and questions:

Dr. Donal O'Toole MVB, PhD, MRCVS, DipECVP, FRCPath

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming

Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory

1174 Snowy Range Road

Laramie, Wyoming 82070

Phone: (307) 766-9976

Fax: (307) 721-2051

Email: dot@uwyo.edu