Paid Veterinary Externship: Shelter Medicine & Surgery

DuPage County; Wheaton (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

DuPage County's Animal Services Department offers a hands-on Veterinary Externship designed for 4th-year veterinary students seeking experience in shelter medicine, surgery, and community-based animal care. Externs work with shelter veterinarians to deliver compassionate care to dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals in a high-volume setting.

The program emphasizes mentorship, structured learning, and real-world case management, with opportunities to participate in spay/neuter surgeries

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in an accredited veterinary program as a 4th year student.
• Interest in surgery, primary care, or shelter medicine.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries.
• Perform physical exams and wellness evaluations.
• Administer vaccinations and preventive care.
• Diagnose and treat common shelter illnesses.
• Support population health and disease prevention protocols.
• Learn best practices in shelter medicine.
• Collaborate with care, behavior, and adoption teams to promote outcomes.
• Assist with behavior evaluations of dogs and cats.

Skills

Surgical experience

Shelter medicine

Teamwork

Clinical examination

Education

DVM – Fourth-year student

Job description

DuPage County's Animal Services Department offers a hands-on Veterinary Externship designed for 4th-year veterinary students seeking experience in shelter medicine, surgery, and community-based animal care. Externs work with shelter veterinarians to deliver compassionate care to dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals in a high-volume setting.

The program emphasizes mentorship, structured learning, and real-world case management, with opportunities to participate in spay/neuter surgeries