Veterinary Externship Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

TCAP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to end animal over population and to improve community animal welfare by providing low-cost preventative services throughout North Texas. Learn more about our nonprofit, our mission and our success.

TCAP’s externship is one week long. Currently, we are offering the following dates for 2023: 

  • Sept. 25 – 29
  • Oct. 23 – 27
  • Nov. 27 – Dec. 1

Surgery externs will work 40 hours per week within a Monday – Friday workweek. Externs will not work weekends or major holidays. 

  • A great attitude with an eagerness to learn
  • Scrubs
  • Comfortable, closed toed shoes (we recommend tennis shoes)
  • Stethoscope
  • Water bottle
  • Lunch/snacks

Facility: Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP)
Supervising Veterinarian: (Varies By Externship)
Address: PO Box 77016, Fort Worth, Texas 76177
Clinic Phone: (940) 566-5551
Direct Line: 940-293-2848
Email: [email protected]

An extern’s day will start with a morning meeting providing an overview of the day’s plan, a lecture, a discussion led by TCAP’s education team, and a rotation on the surgery/clinic floor as part of our high-volume sterilization/wellness program.

Lunch and learn events will be held on occasion. 

TCAP is a high-volume, low-cost provider with an intense focus on spay/neuter. We will have a DVM mentor dedicated to student instruction and strive to give as much hands-on experiential learning as possible.  The caseload will vary based on student experience, student skill level, and patient availability. However, students should expect to perform surgical techniques on live patients, and receive real-time feedback from the instructor. 

Learning objectives include

  • A mastery of high-volume, high-quality sterilization techniques and efficiencies.
    • Including: pedicle ties, techniques for pediatric spay/neuter and anesthesia, efficient surgical closure techniques, & approaches to cryptorchid neuter.
  • Understanding of the principles of animal welfare.
  • Understanding the need for low-cost veterinary care in communities.
  • A mastery of high-volume wellness care techniques and efficiencies. 

Expected Caseload & Hands-on Experience:

  • HQHV Spay/Neuter Service: Caseload varies, with expectation for minimum 5-10 primary surgeon cases per day during 14 days on HQHV service. (Pregnant spays, cryptorchid neuters, pyometra spays, etc. will vary based on patient availability.)
  • Additional Surgical Experience: Caseload varies based on patient availability and time constraints. Potential additional experience could include dentistry or dew claw removals.
  • Wellness Express (Preventative care) Service: Case load varies based on patient availability and student skill-level. TCAP wellness clinics typically see 40 – 100 pets in attendance. 

Lunch may be provided on some days, but plan to bring your own lunch each day. We will make you aware when lunch will be provided to you.

We have a break room with microwave, refrigerator and water available.

There are many area restaurants that deliver to our clinic or are a short drive away.

DVMs – (TBD) – will be the primary instructors rotating through the two week externship time. The doctors are dedicated to instruction and education during this time, and will be focused on student learning instead of clinical work.

TCAP’s team of experienced HVHQ spay/neuter professionals will also assist with instruction whenever needed.

Guest lecturers with expertise in specialty topics will also be involved in the teaching of veterinary students.

The Veterinary Student Externship is an unpaid learning opportunity.

We will work with your university to provide academic credit for the extern rotation.

The clinic is closed and no externship hours will be scheduled for the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day (July 4th)
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Additionally, the clinic may close early, or be closed, on the following days:

  • Christmas Eve
  • New Year’s Eve

View full travel and housing information

Housing options include area hotels and AirBNBs and  Vrbos.

We can connect externs to discuss organizing shared housing space.

Fourth year veterinary students are encouraged to fill out our externship application

Katelyn McGuire, Director of Operations
[email protected]
(940)-566-5551, extension 1107