External Clinical Training Placements
*Please Note: Beginning in summer 2026, all veterinary practices across Ontario will be eligible to host DVM Externship students. Externships will be limited to Ontario practices ONLY to meet the requirements set by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education.
Engaging with OVC students offers employers a unique opportunity to shape the future of veterinary and public health fields. By hosting placements, offering mentorship or providing job opportunities, employers connect with skilled, motivated candidates while influencing their professional growth. These interactions foster long-term recruitment, strengthen ties with the OVC community and bring fresh perspectives to your organization.
Please see the following ways to engage with Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) students.
Complete an intake form to indicate how you wish to connect with our students.
Contact ovc.experiential@uoguelph.ca with questions or for more information.
Host a 4th Year Veterinary Student for a Clinical Placement
4th year OVC DVM students participate in Externship and External Rotation placements at veterinary sites as part of the clinical training. Clinical placements are an opportunity to provide meaningful mentorship, connect with the OVC community, and engage in continuing education related to veterinary education and more.
*Please note that financial compensation cannot be provided for clinical placements.
Externship
Externships are eight weeks in duration and may only take place during the summer semester, after their third year of study. Clinical placements are an opportunity to provide meaningful mentorship, connect with the OVC community and engage in continuing education related to veterinary education and more.
Host Sites and Preceptors are expected to provide:
- A safe and welcoming learning environment for students.
- Provide hands-on, clinically relevant tasks and delegate responsibilities and tasks to train to entry-level veterinary competencies related to the student’s stream choice (Companion Animal, Food Animal, Equine, Rural Community Practice)
- Appropriate supervision and demonstrate professional behaviour and ethical conduct with clients and colleagues.
- Timely completion of administrative forms and evaluations regarding student learning and progress.
- 8 weeks of full-time in-person clinical training, at a minimum of 40 hours/week over 4 days and a maximum of 60 hours over 6 days.
External Rotation
Students have the option of attending external veterinary clinics for an External Rotation during their Phase 4 Clinical Training. Rotations vary from one to four weeks in duration, may be completed throughout the year, and are chosen by the student based on their interests and professional goals. Clinical placements are an opportunity to provide meaningful mentorship, connect with the OVC community, and engage in continuing education related to veterinary education and more.
Host Sites and Preceptors are expected to provide:
- A safe and welcoming learning environment for students.
- Provide hands-on, clinically relevant tasks and delegate responsibilities and tasks to train to entry-level veterinary competencies.
- Appropriate supervision and demonstrate professional behaviour and ethical conduct with clients and colleagues.
- Timely completion of administrative forms and evaluations regarding student learning and progress.
- Full-time in-person clinical training, at a minimum of 40 hours/week over 4 days and a maximum of 60 hours/week over 6 days.
Network and Mentor Students
There are opportunities for the professional communities to connect with students in related academic degrees through programming and events. Opportunities include but are not limited to:
- Mentorship Program
- Career Panels
- Informational Interviews
- Club Talks
Hire an OVC Student or Alumni
All employment postings can be advertised using Experience Guelph. Due to the veterinary labour market, veterinary organizations may choose to connect with students at earlier touch points in their degree including offering summer employment opportunities.
