Visiting Students/Externs
Henderson Equine is happy to support students who are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, especially if you have an interest in equine medicine. Shadowing opportunities will vary depending on your level of education and experience, but all will follow some of the same basic guidelines.
Guidelines for Shadowing
Shadowing at an ambulatory large animal clinic is somewhat different than at a small animal clinic because our hours are not as predictable and we are often on the road. We are willing to work with you to accommodate some personal circumstances, but understanding the following general guidelines will help you decide if shadowing our ambulatory clinicians is right for you.
Our office hours are 8 AM - 4PM, but our days occasionally start earlier and OFTEN end much later due to emergencies and longer appointments. Students cannot be dropped off early so plan for full day on the road. This means having no/flexible evening plans as well as any food you may need for the day.
Bring weather-appropriate apparel depending on what time of year you are visiting. To maintain safety and a professional image we ask our vets and the students shadowing them wear professional long pants or jeans, a collared shirt such as a polo shirt or a scrub tub, and closed-toe shoes such as paddock boots or sneakers. In the winter we recommend warm boots, a warm jacket or overalls, a hat, and mittens.
While sometimes we enjoy stopping for food on the road, students should be prepared with all the food and water they may need for the day in case we are in an area where detouring to buy food is not possible.
Patient confidentiality is extremely important to us. While our clients generally love helping students learn, we are expected to respect their privacy. This means no photographs of patients without owner permission, as well as no sharing of patient details to outside individuals, especially (but not limited to) on social media.
High School/BOCES
High school students 16 years or older are welcome to shadow for one or a few days to see what it’s like to work in an equine veterinary clinic. Students under 18 will need to submit a permission slip, signed by their parent or guardian, to participate. Henderson Equine Clinic will provide this permission slip. Hands-on experience will be highly limited for high school students, for liability reasons. For example, students under 18 will need to step out of the room for x-ray exams, and will not typically be asked to hold the horses or perform any procedures other than potentially carrying or cleaning equipment. Our doctors and assistants are, however, happy to explain the procedures the students are observing, as well as to answer any questions that arise.
Undergraduate/Pre-Vet
Undergraduate students are welcome to shadow for one or a few days to see what it’s like to work in an equine veterinary clinic. Hands-on experience will be somewhat limited for college students, for liability reasons. Students who are quite comfortable with horses may, however, be asked to hold horses for procedures in addition to helping our technicians with carrying or cleaning equipment. Our doctors and assistants are happy to explain the procedures the students are observing, as well as to answer any questions that arise.
Veterinary Technician Students (Externships)
Students actively enrolled in veterinary technician programs, such as at Alfred State College and Genesee Community College, are required to complete over 100 hours of experience hours at a few different veterinary clinics. We have helped multiple such students develop their experience with horses and veterinary procedures. Students will be asked to help with all of the tasks our assistants and technicians are asked to do, from set-up and cleaning to administering some medications, when appropriate. We ask that students be flexible, as completing the time requirement can take anywhere from 12-30 days at our clinic, depending on our doctors’ schedules. Students can shadow for full weeks at a time or for a few days per week, depending on their personal schedule.
Veterinary Students (Externships)
Veterinary students in their clinical year of veterinary school are welcome to complete their externship rotations with us for 2-3 weeks, as required by their school. Hands-on experience such as medication administration, radiography, ultrasound, and dental exams will be offered, depending on the caseload and student’s comfort level. We encourage students to discuss cases with us in order to supplement their education and best prepare them to enter the field when they graduate. Students in their earlier years of veterinary school are also welcome to spend time shadowing with us and gaining some hands-on experience. Veterinary students will need to submit their proof of PLIT insurance prior to their visit.
At this time, we don’t have housing available for our visiting externs, so the possibility of including our externs on after-hours emergencies is limited.
How To Apply
Fill out the following form as completely as possible, and someone from Henderson Equine will reach out to you soon regarding available shadowing opportunities. If you have any questions that were not answered on this page, contact the clinic.