PACKS: Personalized, Autonomous Career & Knowledge Support externships and mentorships set you up for a successful career in veterinary medicine.

We are excited to offer student externship opportunities where you can collaborate with doctors and teams to learn valuable, real-world clinical, surgical, communication and leadership skills in a general practice hospital. 
WHY SHOULD I APPLY TO A PACKS EXTERNSHIP?

Real-world experience. Mentorship. Growth.

Vetco Total Care general practice hospitals are committed to the growth and development of veterinary (DVM) students.

Our PACKS Externship program offers you two exciting opportunities to be the best veterinarian you can be!
  • Externships for educational course credit (2 week minimum)
  • Work as a part- or full-time veterinary assistant as your schedule allows, for even more hands-on experience

You will feel welcomed by an experienced veterinarian and hospital team who are committed to your learning and growth. With their mentorship and guidance, you will build practical skills and confidence as you observe and participate in routine, medical, surgical, diagnostic and dental procedures in one of our state-of-the-art hospitals.

Plus, you will enjoy generous Petco discounts on supplies, training, grooming and medical care in our Vetco Total Care hospitals.
WHAT WILL I LEARN AND DO?
  • Incorporating comprehensive veterinary medicine and surgery into general practice
  • Preventive care
  • Working dynamically with a team to ensure hospital workflow
  • Hospital leadership, operations & business
  • Hospital medical communication and client experience
  • Supporting client conversations with empathy
  • Clinical Pathology using our IDEXX analyzers
  • Dentistry, including digital dental radiographs
  • Digital Radiology
  • Ultrasonography using the Butterfly iQ+ Vet ultrasound
  • Integrating Artificial intelligence technology into general practice through: Vetology AI Radiograph Interpretation and VETSCAN IMAGYSTTM AI Microscope
  • Small Animal Emergency Critical Care (by location)
  • Zoo/Exotic Animal Medicine (by location)
Veterinary externs ensure the safety of pets, clients and team members by adhering to all medical standard operating protocols. You will only perform care that is outlined by each Veterinary State Practice Act and only under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician. Vetco Total Care does not perform medically unnecessary and cosmetic procedures.​​​​
OK! HOW DO I APPLY?
Review these requirements, then click apply below to get started! 
  • You are currently enrolled in an AVMA-accredited veterinary college.  
  • You must provide proof of professional liability insurance. Veterinary students can obtain complimentary veterinary student professional liability insurance through SAVMA. 
  • You are available Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. We do not work after-hours, late nights or emergency on-call shifts! 
  • You're a team player who enjoys working in a diverse and highly inclusive environment where all people are welcome as they are. You're happy to collaborate and learn from everyone on staff.  
  • You possess strong observational, analytical, critical thinking and communication skills. You love to identify and analyze problems and provide medically-sound recommendations.
  • You maintain a calm, respectful and professional manner with pets and people, adapting to occasionally stressful situations that arise in a veterinary hospital. 

Questions? Email us at vetprograms@petco.com. ​​​​​
Learn more about our PACKS externship program. 
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Got questions? Please email us at vetprograms@petco.com - thank you. 

Important to note: Veterinary externs ensure the safety of pets, clients and team members by adhering to all medical standard operating protocols.
You will only perform care that is outlined by each Veterinary State Practice Act and only under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician.
Vetco Total Care does not perform medically unnecessary and cosmetic procedures.​​​​