What Students Say

"I had such a great time. It was nice to get to work in a real practice setting. The doctors and techs were very helpful and very willing to answer questions and provide reasons behind the medical decisions made. I would recommend this experience to anyone." – Student in the Class of 2014

"I really enjoyed my time there. I learned a lot and was finally able to put the classroom knowledge to work. All the doctors and technicians were very patient and great teachers. I hope to go back and do a rotation there." – Student in the Class of 2013

"An absolutely awesome experience. Felt like I learned so much from both doctors! Definitely recommend." – Student in the Class of 2014

"I absolutely loved this mentorship. Everyone was willing to teach me and I had a lot of opportunities to get all the hands-on experience I wanted. I hope to come back and visit again." – Student in the Class of 2014

"This clinic is a wonderful practice to get hands-on experience. The entire staff was extremely helpful in teaching me useful clinical skills. The doctors were fabulous at taking time to explain the connections between what I learned in class to actual cases in the clinic." – Student in the Class of 2014

"This was one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. Both doctors were wonderful and again very generous. Really great mentorship experience." – Student in the Class of 2013

“An outstanding place for a mentorship. This doctor is very open to questions and a good teacher. It was a wonderful experience which I would repeat any chance I could.” - Student in the Class of 2012

“I loved visiting this practice. The doctors really want to teach students. Don’t just want you to know what to do but why you are doing it. Wonderful experience!” - Student in the Class of 2013

"Spending the week with [these mentors] was a great experience! I learned so much about working with large animals, and was able to practice skills that I have never had the opportunity to do! They were amazing hosts and made me feel right at home. Definitely one of my most memorable experiences in vet school!" - Student in the Class of 2012

"Both doctors went out of their way to make me feel welcome and to answer any questions that I had. They talked me through different procedures and why they were doing them. I learned a lot in the week I spent there and it was a very good experience." – Student in the Class of 2013

“It was a very good learning experience to see how a zoo veterinarian operates and to see how treatment of many different animal species is done. I feel that this opportunity was invaluable as far as educational and life experiences are concerned.” - Student in the Class of 2013

“This was an amazing mentorship! I was allowed to do a lot more than I thought I would, and learned a TON! The practitioners were all friendly, helpful and eager to teach me!” - Student in the Class of 2012

“This was a great experience into the world of veterinary acupuncture, including how it can work concurrently with western medicine. (The doctor) was enthusiastic and took the time to make this a great learning experience. The rest of the doctors in the practice were also very helpful and happy to go over their cases with me and include me in their findings and discussions. Overall it was a fantastic environment.” - Student in the Class of 2012

“Highly recommend this practice. The doctors were very friendly and willing to teach/mentor students. They understand the varying levels of experience and knowledge of young vet students. Very approachable and eager to answer questions.”
- Student in the Class of 2012

"It was a dream practice. The staff was so supportive of my learning experience."
- Student in the Class of 2013

"I really enjoyed this experience and learned a lot from (the practitioner). I am looking forward to going back to get more experience."
- Student in the Class of 2012

"The surgeries are amazing and a once in a lifetime opportunity! The client interactions are very helpful to understanding Equine medicine. The doctors are very nice and helpful just have to have the drive to learn and ask questions."
- Student in the Class of 2012

"I thought this was a great experience and (the practitioner) is really good with students. He is very logical and thinks not only of the money, but the money that goes back to the farmers. He does a great job with communication with employees and I enjoyed my time there!"
- Student in the Class of 2013

"It was very interactive with a lot of clients and animals to work with each day. Great learning experience!"
- Student in the Class of 2012

"Amazing hands on experience!! They had a kind of ''see one, do one'' approach which was incredible. Everything was supervised but they were completely happy for your to get hands on experience with every patient that walked through the door. Very nice people and a well run business."
- Student in the Class of 2012

Amazing hands on experience!! They had a kind of ''see one, do one'' approach which was incredible. Everything was supervised but they were completely happy for you to get hands on experience with every patient that walked through the door. Very nice people and a well run business.
- Student in the Class of 2012

"The doctors were very welcoming, knowledgeable, and helpful. I had the chance to see lots of different species and observe several kinds of surgeries."
- Student in the Class of 2012

"Drs Fitzpatrick and Pate are excellent teachers! I had a wonderful time, saw a lot of interesting cases, and learned a lot. It was a fantastic week."
- Student in the Class of 2012

"I was allowed to practice a large amount of skills and even scrubbed into several surgeries. The doctors were very welcoming and were great teachers. I had a great time!"
- Student in the Class of 2012

"I had a really great time and learned so much from this practice! Definitely a great practice to visit!"
- Student in the Class of 2013

"(The doctors in this practice) are both fantastic teachers who seemed to take joy in watching a student grow and learn. I had multiple opportunities to practice clinical skills after observing them and I got to see animals from calves to cats to hogs to guniea pigs while I was there. This experience was perfect for a student with rudimentary bovine/food animal knowledge- I feel that I learned a GREAT deal. Hard work, but great reward. I hope that more students can take advantage of their mentorship"
- Student in the Class of 2012

“This was an excellent opportunity to see how wildlife medicine is practiced. It was a very hands-on mentorship and a wonderful experience.”
- Student in the Class of 2012

“This clinic has a very high and diverse caseload. The experience itself was exceptional and I do feel as though I learned a significant amount. Everyone was very kind, welcoming, and willing to teach anything I showed interest in learning. If surgical experience is a goal, (this practitioner) was phenomenal. The doctors at this practice are eager to share their knowledge if you are willing to step up and volunteer to help them with their patients.”
- Student in the Class of 2013

“I had a really great experience at this mentorship. I believe that this had a lot to do with the staff at the hospital I was working at. They were very welcoming and very willing to help me learn anything I wanted to. The doctors were great about answering questions and discussing cases with me.”
- Student in the Class of 2013

“These doctors work hand-in-hand at several locations, as well as mobile. Because of the time of year, they had a higher abundance of small animal and equine work than is usual throughout the year. However, for someone wanting to learn anything this opportunity was amazing. During some excess time they even allowed us to practice surgeries! I have never had a better clinical experience and I would not have traded this for the world. This was the highlight of my summer and I may be returning just to spend time at their practices!”
- Student in the Class of 2013

“I had a really great experience at this mentorship. I believe that this had a lot to do with the staff at the hospital I was working at. They were very welcoming and very willing to help me learn anything I wanted to. The doctors were great about answering questions and discussing cases with me.”
- Student in the Class of 2013

“This opportunity was incredible not only based on the amount of diagnostic imaging I learned about, but also the medicine that I got to be a part of from other services in the hospital. (The doctor) was an amazing teacher who inspired me to do my best work and there wasn’t a day that I dreaded going in. Truly an extremely useful and educational opportunity.”
- Student in the Class of 2013