An externship experience at an NVA hospital will give students the unique opportunity to understand the day-to-day operations of the practice, and to gain valuable hands-on clinical experience. Although every NVA hospital is unique, we all have some things in common: an environment that is supportive, committed to excellent medicine, and provides exceptional service to animals and the people who love them.    Students will work closely with the supervising Associate Veterinarians to gain experience in gathering patient histories, performing physical exams, creation of treatment plans, diagnostics, dentistry services, observing/assisting or performing surgical procedures, and medical management of patients. In addition to practicing their clinical skills, student externs will have the opportunity to practice their communication skills with the medical team, support staff, and clients.     Most externship experiences range from two to eight weeks depending on student and hospital schedules. Externships at Lakeview Animal Hospital are designed for 3rd and 4th year veterinary students.   Note from the staff: Lakeview Animal Hospital is located in the beautiful lake region of Portage, Michigan, a community filled with cute coffee shops, bike paths, and microbreweries.  We have five veterinarians on staff, three of whom are internship trained.  We practice internal medicine, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and dermatology at an especially high level regularly utilizing our full Idexx lab, our beautiful constantly used Sound ultrasound machine and Dentalaire digital dental radiography unit.  We love to teach and to mentor new professionals and are supported by an amazing group of technicians, technician students, veterinary receptionists and assistants.  We have housing available plus a stipend for qualified externs. We hope to meet you soon!   Veterinary students who are in the clinical portion of their education are eligible for a travel/living expense stipend. Click HERE to view list of stipend amounts and HERE for details on the stipend program.