Externships are available at all three of our practice locations: Denver, CO, Virginia Beach, VA and Charlotte, NC.

What to Expect

Most externs choose to spend two weeks with Caring Pathways but time frames may be adjusted to meet student needs. Externships consist of ride-alongs with one or several veterinarians as they see between 2-5 in-home hospice and euthanasia appointments per day. Students can also expect to spend one half day shadowing our Client Care Team as they schedule appointments, as well as take a tour of a crematorium or aquamation center (opportunities vary by location).

Over the course of their externship, students will gain a wide breadth of valuable knowledge they can apply in future practice, including:

• Knowledge of sedation and euthanasia protocols that provide the most consistently peaceful and pain-free experience for pets, as well as how to tailor sedation to meet an individual pet’s needs.
• Exposure to alternative and advanced euthanasia techniques, including palpation, knowledge of anatomical landmarks, appropriate equipment selection, transportation techniques, and more.
• Communication skills necessary to have quality of life discussions and to support pet families with professionalism, empathy and compassion.
• Our comprehensive approach to hospice care including multimodal pain management, use of scientifically-validated integrative therapies and nutrition; ongoing check ins from our nursing team, as well as support for caregivers.

A small stipend is available to all externs to help offset costs of travel and lodging. All externs are expected to have their own vehicle as they may be asked to drive themselves while shadowing.