Veterinary Student Externships & Preceptorships, Veterinary Technician Student Clinical Rotations, and Student Job Shadowing ExperiencesHands-On Learning in a Supportive Community Practice

At The Hometown Veterinarian, we are proud to support the next generation of veterinary professionals. We offer student externship and preceptorship opportunities for both veterinary students and veterinary technician students, focused exclusively on small animal medicine.

Experience The Hometown Veterinarian Difference

As a student at The Hometown Veterinarian, you’ll experience The Hometown Veterinarian Difference and see firsthand what sets us apart.

We like to say we’re:
Mayo Clinic meets Chick-fil-A meets Cheers.

  • World-Class Expertise is Our Goal: We strive to emulate the exceptional care and expertise of The Mayo Clinic.
  • Unparalleled Service is Our Standard: Like Chick-fil-A, we’re committed to friendly, above-and-beyond customer service.
  • A Welcoming Community is Our Culture: Just like Cheers, we aim to be the place “where everybody knows your name.”

Externship & Preceptorship Overview

  • Who can apply?
    • 4th-year veterinary students seeking small animal rotations
    • Veterinary technician students needing clinical experience
  • What to expect:
    • Direct mentorship from our experienced DVM team
    • Opportunities to observe and assist with exams, surgeries, diagnostics, client communication, and more
    • Experience working in a community-focused, independent small animal practice

Job Shadowing for High School, College & Veterinary Students

In addition to formal externships and preceptorships, we also welcome high school students, undergraduate college students, and 1st-3rd year veterinary students who are interested in exploring veterinary careers. Job shadowing experiences allow students to observe patient care, ask questions, and gain insight into daily life at a small animal veterinary clinic.

Why Choose The Hometown Veterinarian?

  • Independent, locally-owned clinic where teaching and mentorship are part of our core values
  • Supportive, hands-on environment where students are encouraged to ask questions and build confidence
  • A team that’s passionate about serving both pets and people in our community

How to Apply

If you’re interested in scheduling an externship, preceptorship, or job shadowing experience, please contact us at:

📧 clinic@hometownveterinarian.com
📞 641-758-3333

📍 Location:
The Hometown Veterinarian
101 Iowa Avenue West, Suite 300
Marshalltown, IA 50158

When you reach out, please include:

  • Your name and contact information
  • School and current year (or grade level for high schoolers)
  • Area of interest (veterinary, veterinary technician, general animal care)
  • Preferred dates for your experience

Have Questions?

We’re happy to answer any questions you have about our student programs. Whether you’re a future veterinarian, vet tech, or simply exploring careers in animal care, we look forward to helping you learn and grow!