Internship Program

At VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, we strive to provide an internship experience unmatched by any other program. Our program has a large, diverse caseload and a strong mentoring tradition, providing abundant opportunities for learning. Interns assume primary responsibility for the management of their cases with ample support and guidance from our many specialists. Successful applicants are highly motivated individuals who thrive in a busy, collaborative environment while embracing opportunities to develop knowledge and skills through hands-on experience. Interns who have completed our program have had a high success rate in obtaining residency positions in all specialty areas. They are also well prepared for careers in emergency and general practice medicine.

VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital is one of the oldest and largest specialty hospitals in the United States. We are located in a state-of-the-art 42,000 sq. ft. facility, comprising one of the largest integrated veterinary medical centers in the world, and providing comprehensive medical and surgical care in virtually all specialties. In addition to our general practice caseload, we offer referral services in behavior, cardiology, dentistry, emergency medicine/critical care, internal medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, surgery (orthopedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive procedures), and zoological/exotic medicine.

Intern rotations include internal medicine, surgery, critical care and daytime/overnight emergency augmented with 10-11 weeks of elective rotations. These electives can include rotating with out in-hospital services (cardiology, neurology, oncology, dentistry, zoomed, etc.) or out-hospital rotations. Interns work five days per week, with two days off in a row on every rotation. Continuing education is offered twice per week and includes a rotating schedule of lectures, journal club, and morbidity and mortality rounds in addition to wet labs. Our hospital Social Worker holds intern wellness rounds once per month. Once per year the interns each present a grand rounds lecture to the staff and doctors.

Interns who have completed our program have been successful in obtaining specialty internship and residency positions in a range of specialties (surgery, emergency/critical care, diagnostic imaging, anesthesiology, internal medicine, etc.). 

The successful applicant will be hard-working, self-motivated, intelligent, friendly, and enjoys working with others. Applications are through the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP): www.virmp.org; however, we also offer off-cycle internships (starting at an alternative time of year). The start date for the off-cycle internships varies each year and is usually based on when the incoming intern graduates from veterinary school. Completion of an externship or a visit and personal interview (or virtual interview) are strongly encouraged, but not mandatory. For further information, please feel free to check out our VIRMP profile and contact us for additional questions!

Externship Program

VCA West Los Angeles (VCA WLA) offers an externship program to veterinary students across the country (and the globe). Our program has grown to over 50 participants on average annually. We accept veterinary students in any part of their veterinary learning for rotations, specialty services, or other requirements. 

Our objective is to educate veterinary student externs, maintain tertiary referral patient care, as well as exemplary referral communication and service to our clients and referring veterinarians. Boarded specialists, experienced emergency clinicians, residents, and interns are all involved in teaching visiting students. A senior clinician from each department is designated as a mentor to students assigned to that department; however, students are encouraged to be involved in cases with all clinicians from the assigned department.

VCA WLA’s externship program is for you, if:

• You are currently enrolled in an AVMA-accredited university veterinary degree program.
• You are looking for experience in a specialty/referral practice.
• You are considering applying for an internship following graduation (particularly, if you are considering application to VCA WLA’s internship program).
• You are hard-working, motivated, intelligent, friendly, and enjoy working with others.

Potential externs are encouraged to fill out the DVM Externship Application at the link below which will ask for your preferences in schedule, mentorship, and goals. 

Additional Information for Potential Externs

Insurance

We do not require nor do we provide professional liability (malpractice) insurance, health insurance, or worker’s compensation for externs. If an extern’s university mandates that insurance coverage be obtained, it is the responsibility of the extern to arrange such coverage. We are happy to provide a letter confirming your acceptance if this is required.

Fees/Cost/Stipends

VCA WLA does not charge visiting students for participation in our externship program, nor do we provide any compensation/payment to externs.

Housing

We are not able to provide or assist in the arrangement of housing accommodations for visiting students. Many externs stay with relatives or acquaintances in the Los Angeles area. Other options include local hotels, area hostels, or Airbnb.

International Students

VCA WLA accepts applications from students attending AVMA-accredited universities abroad. At this time, we are not able to accept applications from students of non-accredited universities or non-US Residents.

Questions?

Please feel free to fill out the form below that are not addressed online. Our team will reply to emails within 1-2 weeks.