The Piedmont Equine Practice offers a student externship program that provides both clinical and ambulatory experience for veterinary students only. Our client base consists primarily of English riding disciplines such as eventing, dressage, show hunters, foxhunters, show jumpers, pleasure and racehorses. We also see a number of horses in the western disciplines.

As a private practice, the amount of “hands-on” experience is somewhat limited. The benefit of an externship at a private practice, as opposed to a larger hospital, is a student will receive much more one-on-one time with the veterinarian for case discussion. All the veterinarians enjoy having students visit and have a wealth of knowledge to share.

Since our clinic opened in 2006, the Piedmont Equine Practice has offered specialized surgeries by a boarded surgeon such as arthroscopy, laryngeal surgery, soft tissue and emergency surgery. The Piedmont Equine Practice also offers nuclear scintigraphy, video endoscopy and advanced reproductive procedures. We have a residency-trained criticalist on staff who specializes in critical care. An ophthalmologist is in the clinic on a regular basis to perform specialized exams and procedures.

Typically, externships last from two to three weeks. Students are asked to participate in weekend emergencies and assist with in-house patient care.
Housing is available onsite at no charge. A car is not required once at the clinic. However, students will be responsible for transportation to and from the airport. Dulles (IAD) is our closest airport.

The Piedmont Equine Practice limits the number of externships to not exceed two students at any given time. This enables us to offer more experience and time to each individual student. Please contact us as soon as possible when setting up externships. The practice is busiest from April through October. Application requirements are a letter of intent and a resume.

Externships are for veterinary students only. We do not take LVT students at this time.