Housing

Housing is provided for visiting students, who shadow our veterinary assistants and technicians, and also assist with treatments and after-hours emergencies. Each individual student’s level of experience will dictate their exposure to a certain extent, but we encourage active participation in all aspects of clinical care and seek primarily to foster an open, comfortable yet challenging environment for clinical training.

Applications are accepted year round

Due to the seasonality of our work, we encourage students to visit in the spring through fall months; our practice is busiest between early March and late October.  Please contact Megan Triplett via email (megan@mtequine.com) or phone (406-285-0123) to schedule your visit or with any questions regarding the internship process. Applications for externships are accepted year round.

Montana Equine’s one-year professional internship program is open to senior veterinary students and other graduate veterinarians. Although a visit to the practice is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.

We request the following materials:

1. A letter of intent, outlining the applicants goals and reasons for application to this program;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. Three Letters of Recommendation (at least two of which should be written by a veterinarian);
4. Transcripts from their Veterinary Program

Deadline

The deadline for application is NOVEMBER 1st each year.  Applicants will be informed of the decision via mail or telephone no later than November 20th.

Please contact Megan Triplett via email (megan@mtequine.com) or phone (406-285-0123)

Surgery:

During their surgery rotations, the intern will assist with a variety of surgical procedures. Commonly performed procedures include orthopedic procedures (especially arthoscopic evaluation and treatment), airway surgeries and soft-tissue procedures (especially colic surgery). This exposure is expected to help establish basic surgical decision-making and technical skills. Following their internship, most interns will be competent to perform routine procedures and will have obtained the essential training for entry into a surgical residency.

Internal Medicine:

During their internal medicine rotations, the intern will assist with most advanced internal medicine procedures. Commonly performed procedures include abdominal and thoracic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsies, management of equine metabolic syndrome and Cushing’s disease, as well as respiratory evaluation and treatment. Following their internship, most interns will be competent to perform routine procedures and will have obtained the essential training for entry into an internal medicine residency.

Routine lameness:

Interns are given the opportunity to participate in routine lameness exams and treatments.  We anticipate that they will become comfortable with most routinely performed evaluations and diagnostic procedures, especially including nerve and joint blocks, as well as diagnostic radiology and ultrasound.

Routine Reproductive Care:

Evaluation of breeding soundness, including rectal palpation, ultrasonography and artificial insemination.  Interns will also assist in management of problem mares, freezing semen and embryo transfers.

Obtain and Interpret Radiographs:

Interns obtain radiographs of all core anatomic regions, especially including axial skeletal studies (musculoskeletal), but also special exams such as cranial/dental/sinus studies, cervical spine, thoracic and abdominal exams.  They will become experience offering  evaluation and interpretation of routinely performed studies.

Performing Ultrasound Examinations:

The intern will assist in performing advanced exams, such as complete abdominal and thoracic scans, ultrasound-guided biopsies, transabdominal fetal ultrasound, advanced musculoskeletal exams and echocardiograms.

Perform Endoscopy:

Interns assist with endoscopy and treatment of the upper airway and guttural pouches, and lower respiratory tract.  They also perform endoscopy of gastrointestinal structures, including esophageal and gastroscopic evaluation and treatment.

Performing Routine Dental Treatments:

Interns will become proficient at evaluation and treatment of common dental procedures, including floating, as well as other routine work such as removal of deciduous caps, wolf tooth extraction, etc.  Interns will regularly assist in advanced dental procedures, such as sinus lavage, periodontal treatments and standing cheek-tooth extractions.

Routine and Emergency Field Service:

We see a wide variety of cases on field service and in-house emergency.  Interns will become comfortable with this type of work by the end of their internship. Cases include basic preventative medicine such as vaccination and de-worming, routine surgeries like castrations and caslicks, and emergencies, especially lacerations and medical colic.

Anesthesia:

Interns will perform injectable and inhalant anesthesia for routine and critical care cases. They will be trained in the use and evaluation of blood gas analysis, constant rate infusions and other advanced techniques.

Professional & Personal Development:

As an active member of the local and regional equine community, we anticipate that each intern will contribute by presenting a talk or writing an article in the local press.  Interns are also exposed to many aspects of veterinary practice management.   There are opportunities to dig deeper into aspects of management, including marketing and outreach, establishing financial benchmarks, enhancing profitability, and other areas.

We encourage each professional veterinary student to identify and pursue other interests, veterinary-related and otherwise during .