Veterinary Extern - Equine

Massachusetts Equine Clinic

Job Description

At Massachusetts Equine Clinic, our externship goal is to provide veterinary students with a high-quality, hands-on learning experience in equine ambulatory medicine and sports medicine. Through 1–2 week immersive placement, externs work closely with our veterinarians to gain practical exposure to a diverse caseload while building confidence in clinical decision-making, diagnostics, and client communication.


As a full-service equine ambulatory practice with haul-in capabilities, we serve a broad range of equine disciplines throughout Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island. Our four-doctor team is committed to mentoring the next generation of equine veterinarians through meaningful case involvement and individualized teaching


During your externship, you will gain experience in:

  • Wellness and preventative care
  • Sports medicine and lameness evaluations
  • Emergency medicine and wound management
  • Field surgery and anesthesia
  • Infectious disease management
  • Client communication and practice workflow

Externs are exposed to a wide variety of cases and depending on caseload and comfort level, students may observe or assist with:

  • Lameness workups and nerve blocks
  • Joint injections
  • Regenerative medicine treatments
  • Shockwave therapy
  • Gastroscopy and endoscopy procedures
  • Colic evaluations, including rectal exams and abdominal ultrasound
  • Wound repair and bandage management
  • Power dental floating
  • Specialty farrier collaboration and imaging for shoeing cases

Students will also gain valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a busy equine practice, including scheduling flow, medical record documentation, emergency triage, and client communication.


Program Details

Duration:
 1–2 week rotations available year-round, with flexibility for longer stays depending on clinic scheduling.

Eligibility:
 Open to students currently enrolled in a college of veterinary medicine, with preference for 3rd- and 4th-year students.

Housing:
 Housing available. 

Practice Type:
 100% equine practice, primarily ambulatory.


Facilities & Equipment

Our clinic includes a four-stall barn and office and is equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment tools, including:

  • Digital radiography
  • Ultrasonography
  • Gastroscopy and endoscopy
  • Shockwave therapy
  • Power dental equipment
  • Biologic therapy systems (PRP, IRAP, Pro-Stride®)


Caseload & Patient Population

Our caseload is primarily performance horses, with a local population that includes:

  • Pleasure & trail horses
  • Dressage horses
  • Hunter/jumpers
  • Show horses
  • Saddle seat horses

Typical Case Distribution:

  • 50% General Practice
  • 30% Lameness & Sports Medicine
  • 20% Medicine & Emergency


Location

We are located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, with a practice area spanning southern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island. Our clinic is also located less than 20 minutes from the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, providing externs exposure to a region with strong referral and specialty support.

Massachusetts Equine Clinic has proudly mentored veterinary students and interns for decades, and we are passionate about helping students build the clinical skills, confidence, and professional foundation needed for a successful career in equine medicine.

 

National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.

NVA, a community of approximately 1,400 premier locations consisting primarily of general practice veterinary hospitals in addition to equine hospitals and pet resorts, and Ethos Veterinary Health, which consists of 145 world-class specialty and emergency hospitals, are rooted in a culture of compassion and innovation.

NVA and Ethos Veterinary Health’s innovative, collaborative approach underpins a shared commitment to delivering exceptional veterinary care. For more information, visit www.nva.com. 

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NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees.  The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process.  For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
 
NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.