Veterinary Student Externship

Here at Highland Park Animal Hospital, education is a large part of what we do. Getting the next generation excited about the day-to-day of general practice is one of our favorite experiences.

During your time here you will observe appointments, treatment, surgeries and dental procedures. We try to involve students as much as possible, and we are looking for students who are motivated to learn, ask questions, and are curious about our practice and our special interests.

Each of our 7 doctors is a part of our teaching program and is willing to guide students through their externship process. We provide a large array of services here from general wellness, echocardiograms, soft tissues and orthopedic surgeries. We also value our client relationships and teach important aspects of client communication.

We have a furnished on-site apartment available for housing extern students traveling from out of town

7 Doctor team with various specialties and experience levels

High volume caseload

Great client relationship management techniques

Experienced vet technicians

High quality, surgery-focused facility

Located in the heart of Dallas, TX

"I Loved Every Second Of My Externship At Highland Park Animal Hospital. I Was Impressed With The Friendly Staff, The Large And Diverse Caseload, And Above All The Mission To Always Put The Patient First. I Highly Recommend This Externship To All Veterinary Students" - Katie

About Our Program

Our veterinary externship program offers hands-on clinical experience tailored to your interests and career goals. Whether you're drawn to small animal general practice , emergency and critical care , specialty services , exotics , or mixed animal medicine , we'll match you with a hospital that aligns with your aspirations.

What makes our externship unique?

Personalized experience : No two externships are the same—we tailor the experience to your individual goals and interests.

Flexible scheduling : Choose the length of your externship based on your school's requirements and your availability.

Location options : Select from our nationwide network of hospitals—based on specialty, proximity, or financial need.

Mentorship-focused : Work closely with experienced veterinarians and clinical teams who are passionate about teaching and mentoring.

Positive culture : We believe in creating a work environment that's not only educational—but fun and fulfilling too

Why Choose Us?

With veterinary practices spanning the country, Innovetive Petcare supports clinics of all sizes and specialties. We believe in taking care of the people who care for animals by offering:

A culture-first, people-focused approach

Resources for career development and clinical growth

Strong emphasis on work-life balance

Real opportunities to find your perfect practice fit

Whether you're preparing for your clinical year or looking for a paid veterinary student job over summer or winter break , we're here to help launch your career in veterinary medicine.

At Innovetive Petcare, our team—from veterinarians and technicians to administrative leaders—shares a common goal: to improve lives through exceptional veterinary care . We're not just redefining the veterinary profession—we're living it.

At Metro Paws, veterinary students will engage in a wide array of hands-on training and mentorship. You can expect to get more experience in areas of:

Wellness care

Immunizations

EKG and Anesthesia

Dermatology

Radiology and Ultrasonography

Echocardiagrams

Soft tissue, general, and orthopedic surgery

Cytology and Oncology

Dental care and surgery

Emergency and Critical Care

Reproduction

Hospice and End-of-Life Care

Eligibility

Must be currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine program.

Must be able to provide proof of PLIT coverage: apply for free coverage here

You will be required to complete a W9.

Requests are managed on a first come, first serve basis - apply today

About Highland Park Animal Hospital

Highland Park Animal Hospital has been serving the Dallas community since 1964 and we know how important your pets are to you. We consider the relationships we develop with our patients, clients, and community to be the most important aspect of our practice. We provide services such as preventative care, behavioral counseling, internal medicine, and a strong focus on soft tissue surgery and orthopedics. Our facility features full-service medical, surgical, and dental treatment suites to cater to the needs of each patient with our state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.

Highland Park Animal Hospital is a proud partner of Innovetive Petcare . Where we believe that you are the future of veterinary medicine. Cultivate, innovate, develop, and collaborate. Excellent pet care comes from exceptional teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer Policy

Highland Park Animal Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.