Veterinary Student Externships
TLC Animal Hospital – El Paso, TX
Looking for an externship where you can gain real-world veterinary experience, learn from supportive mentors, and work with both small animals and exotics?
At TLC Animal Hospital, we offer a paid veterinary externship program designed to help students develop confidence, skill, and clinical insight in a collaborative, Fear Free Certified environment.
We’re located in beautiful El Paso, Texas, where you’ll not only advance your veterinary career but also enjoy the amazing local culture, food, and outdoor attractions the Southwest has to offer.
Call us at : (951)592-6200
Veterinary Student Externships: Grow Your Career in El Paso
What Makes TLC Animal Hospital Special
At TLC, we live by the Golden Rule—we aim to be the kind of hospital we’d want to work in and the one we’d trust with our own pets.
Our culture is built on three guiding principles:
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Quality Medicine: We advocate for our patients’ physical and emotional well-being while practicing evidence-based medicine.
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Quality Client Experience: Every visit matters, and we strive to provide clear communication and compassionate care to pet parents.
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Quality of Life for Our Team: We believe happy, supported staff deliver the best care, so we maintain a healthy workplace culture grounded in teamwork and respect.
What You’ll Experience as a Veterinary Extern
As an extern, you’ll receive hands-on mentorship from our experienced veterinarians, Dr. Dashley and Dr. Lara. Depending on your interests and comfort level, you may observe and assist with a variety of procedures, including:
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Spays and neuters
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Enucleations and declaws
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Skin closures and tail amputations
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Tooth extractions and e-tube placements
When time allows, cadaver practice opportunities are available so you can refine surgical techniques in a supportive, low-pressure setting.
You’ll also gain valuable experience in client communication, physical exams, diagnostics, and case workups.
Why Choose El Paso for Your Externship
Our location offers the perfect balance of professional growth and personal enjoyment.
Between shifts, you can explore local restaurants, shopping, and cultural sites—or take short road trips to the mountains of Cloudcroft and Ruidoso, the stunning White Sands National Park, or the breathtaking Carlsbad Caverns.
Compensation and Benefits
We understand the demands of student life, so our externship is paid to help lighten the load.
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Pay: $1,000 per week
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Extras: Hotel accommodations and travel expenses included
This way, you can focus on learning, not logistics.
Flexibility and Focus Areas
Our experience at TLC can be tailored to your interests.
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Prefer to work only with dogs and cats? No problem.
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Want to gain exposure to exotics like birds, reptiles, or small mammals? Dr. Dashley is happy to mentor you.
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Not into orthopedics? We get it—no pressure here!
We meet you where you are and help you grow at your own pace.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
ou’ll be training in our modern, fully equipped animal hospital, featuring:
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7 exam rooms
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2 surgical tables in a dedicated suite
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2 dental stations in a dental suite
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5 treatment tables
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Separate dog and cat waiting and kennel areas
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Digital whiteboard for case management
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Digital radiography (including horizontal beam)
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Ultrasound and echocardiography
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Digital dental radiographs
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Electro- and radiocautery systems
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Surgical and cold lasers
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HotDog patient warming systems
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Full anesthesia monitoring (including EtCO₂)
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In-house laboratory: chemistry, CBC, coagulation, urinalysis, and IDEXX snap testing
We take pride in combining advanced technology with a Fear Free approach to make every patient’s experience as positive and stress-free as possible.