Choosing the right externship can set the course for a veterinary medicine student’s career. Although the university provides the scientific foundation, true confidence is developed by treating real patients, working alongside experienced veterinarians, and being part of a high-performing clinical team. At VETS PR, a 24-hour emergency and urgent care veterinary hospital in Caguas, Puerto Rico, students don’t just observe veterinary medicine—they experience it firsthand.
Our program is designed for students who are seeking a practical and meaningful clinical experience. Whether through a university or independently, externs become part of the team and actively participate in accordance with their level of training, comfort, and hospital protocols.
VETS PR is distinguished by its high volume and diversity of cases. In addition to dogs and cats, students gain experience with exotic animals and small ruminants, making every shift different. That variety offers a learning opportunity that is hard to match.
Surgery is one of our externs’ favorite experiences. Many arrive with little or no surgical experience, and our team enjoys teaching, guiding, and supporting them throughout the entire process—from patient preparation and aseptic technique to anesthesia monitoring and postoperative care. We believe that the best way to learn is by doing.
Students also observe and participate in emergency triage, patient stabilization, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, ultrasound, medical case management, and clinical decision-making while working alongside veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and assistants.
Since VETS PR operates 24 hours a day, externs can also participate in emergency night shifts, depending on their availability and the requirements of their academic program. This experience allows them to gain insight into the reality of emergency veterinary medicine.
The addition of a specialist in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) will further strengthen the program, providing more mentoring and a first-rate educational experience.
Our team welcomes students from all over. Even an external student who found VETS PR online and didn't speak Spanish had an extraordinary experience. A passion for veterinary medicine transcends any language barrier.
In addition, VETS PR is arranging housing within the hospital for students traveling from outside Puerto Rico, making future rotations even easier.
If you’re looking for an externship that offers hands-on training, surgery, emergency medicine, a wide variety of cases, and personalized mentoring, VETS PR provides an experience that prepares future veterinarians to practice with confidence. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of professionals committed to excellence.