Veterinary Career Exploration & Student Opportunities
Explore a Future in Veterinary Medicine
A career in veterinary medicine offers opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore the profession or are actively pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine or veterinary technology, understanding the different career paths and educational requirements is an important first step.
At South Hyland Pet Hospital, we value education, mentorship, and opportunities to introduce future veterinary professionals to the realities of working in a veterinary hospital.
Our Student Education Program offers structured opportunities for eligible individuals to observe veterinary professionals, explore career pathways, and gain experience appropriate to their educational background and career goals.
Explore Careers in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine involves much more than veterinarians alone. Providing outstanding patient care requires a team of professionals with different skills, educational backgrounds, and responsibilities.
Here are some of the career paths available throughout the veterinary industry.
Veterinarians (DVMs)
Veterinarians are licensed medical professionals responsible for diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, performing surgery, and overseeing patient care.
Education & Credentials: A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary college, required licensing examinations, and applicable state licensure.
Veterinarians may also pursue advanced training or specialization in areas such as surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.
Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs)
Licensed Veterinary Technicians are credentialed veterinary medical professionals who provide skilled nursing care and technical support under veterinary supervision.
Their responsibilities may include anesthesia monitoring, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, patient assessment, medication administration, and client education.
Education & Credentials: Graduation from an accredited veterinary technology program, successful completion of the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), and applicable state licensing requirements.
In Minnesota, the professional designation is Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).
Kennel Assistants / Kennel Attendants
Kennel Assistants help care for animals staying at veterinary hospitals, boarding facilities, and other animal care establishments.
Responsibilities commonly include feeding, walking, cleaning animal housing areas, monitoring animal well-being, and maintaining a safe, comfortable environment.
Education & Credentials: Formal veterinary education or professional licensing is generally not required. Most employers provide on-the-job training.
Kennel Assistant positions can be an excellent introduction to working with animals and a valuable stepping stone toward careers in veterinary assisting, veterinary technology, or veterinary medicine.
Please Note: South Hyland Pet Hospital does not offer boarding services or employ Kennel Assistants. However, other veterinary hospitals and animal care facilities may offer these entry-level opportunities.
Veterinary Assistants (VAs)
Veterinary Assistants support veterinarians and veterinary technicians through animal handling, patient care assistance, examination room preparation, equipment cleaning, supply management, and daily hospital operations.
Education & Credentials: Formal education or certification is not generally required, although veterinary assistant programs and animal-care experience can be beneficial.
This position provides valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing additional veterinary education.
Client Service Representatives (CSRs) / Veterinary Receptionists (VRs)
Client Service Representatives are often the first point of contact for pet owners and play an essential role in coordinating veterinary care.
Responsibilities include scheduling appointments, managing communications, coordinating patient visits, maintaining records, processing payments, and assisting clients with questions and concerns.
Education & Credentials: A college degree or professional license is generally not required. Strong communication, organization, customer service, and problem-solving skills are especially valuable.
Hospital Management & Administration
Veterinary management professionals oversee the business and operational responsibilities that support patient care and hospital operations.
Responsibilities may include team leadership, hiring, training, scheduling, financial management, regulatory compliance, and client relations.
Education & Credentials: Career paths vary and may include veterinary clinical experience, business administration, management education, or professional certifications such as the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential.
Student Education Program at South Hyland Pet Hospital
Our Student Education Program provides structured opportunities for individuals at different stages of exploring or pursuing a veterinary career.
We offer three educational experiences, each with specific eligibility requirements, learning objectives, and participation limits.
| Program | Intended Participants | Duration | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Shadowing | Individuals ages 13+ exploring veterinary careers | Up to two half-day visits | Observation only |
| Student Experience | Students actively pursuing veterinary-related education, typically undergraduates | Up to 240 hours within six weeks | Structured, nonclinical education |
| Clinical Externships | Students enrolled in qualifying veterinary medicine or veterinary technology programs | Based on approved school requirements | Supervised clinical education |
All opportunities are subject to hospital availability, staffing, patient care responsibilities, and program eligibility requirements.
1. Job Shadowing
Eligibility: Ages 13 and older
Duration: Up to two half-day visits
Experience Type: Observation only
Job Shadowing is designed for individuals interested in exploring veterinary medicine before committing to a particular educational or career pathway.
Participants may observe our veterinary team, learn about different hospital positions, and ask questions about education, professional responsibilities, and the realities of working in veterinary medicine.
Job shadowing is strictly observational. Participants may not handle patients, administer treatments, or assist with medical procedures.
Each participant may complete a maximum of two half-day visits, which may be scheduled on separate dates.
Available Shadowing Sessions:
- Morning: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Afternoon: 1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
A conversation with our Student Education Program Coordinator is required before scheduling.
Participants younger than 18 must have parent or guardian permission when the experience is not arranged through a school-sponsored program.
2. Student Experience
Eligibility: Students actively pursuing a career path in veterinary medicine, typically undergraduate students enrolled in animal science, pre-veterinary, biology, or another veterinary-related degree program
Duration: Up to 240 hours over a maximum of six weeks
Experience Type: Structured, nonclinical educational experience
Our Student Experience program is intended for students who are already pursuing a veterinary career and would benefit from extended exposure to the profession before entering veterinary school or another advanced veterinary education program.
Unlike introductory Job Shadowing, this program provides a more comprehensive look at veterinary hospital operations, clinical workflows, professional responsibilities, and the collaboration involved in patient care.
Participants may:
- Observe veterinary professionals across different areas of the hospital.
- Observe examinations, diagnostic procedures, and medical treatments.
- Participate in educational discussions about clinical decision-making and patient care.
- Develop an understanding of professional communication, teamwork, and workplace expectations.
Student Experience is not a general career-exploration program. Applicants must be actively pursuing an appropriate veterinary-related educational pathway.
Participants do not perform direct patient care or medical procedures. This is a structured observational experience, not a clinical externship.
Scheduling and placement length are determined by educational objectives, hospital availability, and program limitations.
3. Clinical Externships
Eligibility: Students enrolled in qualifying accredited veterinary medicine or veterinary technology programs
Duration: Based on approved educational requirements
Experience Type: Supervised clinical education
Clinical Externships are intended for students completing formal veterinary education programs that require documented clinical experience, supervised skills, or competency evaluations.
Unlike Job Shadowing and Student Experience, clinical externships may involve direct participation in patient care under appropriate supervision.
Applicants must provide their school’s required clinical skills checklist, evaluation requirements, and relevant placement documentation.
Veterinary Student Externships
Veterinary student externships are primarily intended for third- and fourth-year veterinary students completing clinical rotations.
These placements are typically two weeks in duration.
Under direct veterinary supervision, students may participate in patient examinations, diagnostic procedures, treatment planning, case discussions, and appropriate surgical experiences.
Veterinary Technology Student Externships
Veterinary technology externships are intended for students completing supervised clinical education required by their veterinary technology programs.
Depending on educational progress and demonstrated competency, students may gain experience in patient nursing, anesthesia, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, laboratory procedures, medication administration, and client education.
All clinical activities must be approved and appropriately supervised by our veterinary team. Participation is determined by school requirements, student competency, applicable laws, and hospital policies.
Clinical externship placements are limited to ensure appropriate supervision, mentorship, and patient safety.
Professional Boundaries & Program Eligibility
South Hyland Pet Hospital is committed to maintaining appropriate professional boundaries between our veterinary team and the clients who entrust us with their pets’ medical care.
To avoid potential conflicts of interest, protect client confidentiality, and maintain clear professional relationships, we do not accept current clients or their immediate family members into our Job Shadowing, Student Experience, or Clinical Externship programs.
We sincerely appreciate the interest of clients and their family members who wish to pursue careers in veterinary medicine. However, maintaining these boundaries helps us protect the integrity of our professional relationships and ensure consistent policies for everyone.
Individuals who are not eligible to participate at our hospital are encouraged to explore educational opportunities with other veterinary practices, animal care organizations, or accredited educational programs.
Application & Placement Process
We receive many requests for educational opportunities throughout the year. To provide a meaningful experience for each participant while maintaining our patient care responsibilities, all placements require an application and approval.
How to Apply
- Submit an Application: Complete our online Student Education Program application, including your educational background, career interests, requested dates, and learning objectives.
- Application Review: Our team evaluates eligibility, educational objectives, and available hospital resources.
- Coordinator Conversation or Interview: Applicants may be asked to participate in a preliminary conversation or interview. Clinical externship applicants must complete an interview before placement approval.
- Placement Approval: Approved participants receive scheduling details, required documentation, and program-specific instructions before beginning.
Scheduling & Availability
We recommend applying at least 1–2 months before your preferred start date, particularly for school-required clinical placements.
To ensure appropriate supervision and mentorship, we generally accommodate only one educational participant at a time. Limited exceptions may allow a veterinary student extern to overlap with a Job Shadowing or Student Experience participant.
Clinical externship availability is especially limited.
Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview, placement, or specific schedule.
Participant Expectations
All approved participants must follow hospital policies regarding professionalism, confidentiality, patient safety, and appropriate conduct.
Participants should be prepared to wear:
- Solid-colored scrubs
- Closed-toe, nonslip shoes
- A name tag or other approved identification
Additional documentation, dress code instructions, and program-specific expectations will be provided before the scheduled experience.
South Hyland Pet Hospital does not offer general volunteer placements. Individuals interested in observing or learning at our hospital must apply through the appropriate Student Education Program opportunity.
Apply for a Student Opportunity
Interested in participating in Job Shadowing, Student Experience, or a Clinical Externship?
Please review the eligibility requirements above before submitting an application.
STUDENT EDUCATION PROGRAM APPLICATION
Our team will review your application and contact you regarding next steps if we are able to consider your request.
Interested in Employment?
Our Student Education Program is separate from employment at South Hyland Pet Hospital.
If you’re interested in joining our team as an employee, please visit our Careers page to learn more about our hospital and explore current opportunities.