Veterinary students and veterinarians


Due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), The Raptor Center is not currently accepting externs from outside the University of Minnesota until further notice. We will update this page when we are able to accept externs again - please check back. 


The Raptor Center offers an externship program for senior veterinary students and graduate veterinarians. Externs assist the interns, resident, and senior clinicians in the diagnosis and surgical/medical treatment of raptors admitted to the Center. The caseload is greater than 1,000 birds a year. During the rotation, externs will participate in several aspects of clinical medicine and surgery of raptors. This will vary pending our patients and caseload, but may include: captive management, anesthesia, medicine and surgery, avian hematology and imaging, and necropsy. 

The externship program is available from April through November. The rotation may be from 3 to 6 weeks in length. If accepted for an externship, there is a $75.00 application fee. Students from non-AVMA accredited veterinary colleges and graduate veterinarians are subject to tuition.
 

Applicants should submit a resume, a cover letter listing your main interests and what you expect to achieve/gain during your stay, two letters of reference, and proposed dates ELECTRONICALLY to: [email protected]

Questions can be directed to: [email protected]


Veterinary technician students

The Raptor Center offers an externship program for Veterinary Technician students as well. Vet Tech externs will learn from our Certified Veterinary Technicians and will participate in medical treatments, captive management, all aspects of surgical monitoring and laboratory diagnostics such as: avian hematology, cytology, microbiology, and parasitology. 

A short project is required. Possible topics include a case report, protocol review, or other project to be determined by extern interests and the discretion of the faculty. 

The Veterinary Technician Externship Program is available from April through September. The rotation may be from 6 to 12 weeks in length. This program fulfills the requirements for the final clinical externship at AVMA accredited universities. If accepted for an externship as a requirement for vet tech course completion, there is no charge for the externship. Students from non-AVMA accredited veterinary technology universities are subject to tuition.

Applicants should submit a resume, a cover letter listing your main interests and what you expect to achieve/gain during your stay, two letters of reference, and proposed dates ELECTRONICALLY to: [email protected]

Questions can be directed to:
Jamie Clarke, CVT
Senior Veterinary Technician
The Raptor Center
1920 Fitch Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 624-3761
[email protected]