College of Veterinary Medicine

Humane Alliance offers an educational, hands-on experience that exposes vet students to the companion animal surgical sterilization process. We focus on the principle that the terms high-volume and high-quality (HVHQ) are indeed compatible, as long as the rules of sound medicine and surgery are strictly enforced. This encompasses every aspect of a patient’s experience with us, including disease control, patient assessment and selection, behavior, patient preparation, mechanics of sterile surgical technique, record keeping, anesthetic and pain management protocol, and patient monitoring and support.

There are two syllabi: Standard Externship and Surgery Externship.

Standard Externship - the Standard Externship is a two-week program (ten regular business days), during which students will be trained in all medical positions (veterinarian, technician, and assistant). Please note that due to the nature of our business, there can be fluctuations in patient numbers. The syllabus is therefore prone to alterations, and may include, but is not limited to, the following: surgery; patient check-in; pre-surgical physical exam; patient selection; pre-op sedation protocol; induction protocol; induction and intubation; surgical prep procedures; patient monitoring; instrument review, ligatures, pedicle tie; sterile surgical technique; DEA regulations and flow of controlled drugs in the practice; drug records; anesthesia machine operation and maintenance.

Surgery Externship - the Surgery Externship program is available to students who have completed the Standard Externship program. The week-long syllabus (and extra five business days) is customized daily to a student's needs and desires. Our goal is two-fold: to polish the vet student's surgical skills, with emphasis on sterilization procedures (the high-quality piece); and to enhance a vet student's organizational skills to make the most efficient use of time (the high-volume piece).

The Surgery Externship syllabus may include, but is not limited to: patient selection and identification of appropriate low-risk surgical candidates; patient flow management; drug/anesthetic protocols; support staff coordination; recognition of surgical pack contents and the value of minimizing the same; maintenance of sterile surgical technique in a high-volume situation; review of anatomy as it applies to the efficient and successful completion of the sterilization procedure; review of instrument and tissue-handling skills; HVHQ-specific surgical techniques (pedicle tie, overhand knot, incision placement); efficiency of motion/movement; body mechanics; identification of complications; management of complications; pain management.

• Everyone on the team is to be treated with equal respect, and you are expected to help the other team members whenever needed. This includes all areas from set-up to clean-up.
• Externs must read the procedures the day before the surgery, or they will not be allowed to operate.
• Externs must assist the records technician to maintain accurate and complete medical records by informing them of the patient’s status (i.e. normal, in heat, pregnant, etc.), and any additional concerns that should be noted.
• Externs must provide the highest quality patient care. All animals must receive a physical examination. All animals must be adequately evaluated and treated with analgesics, as well as any other indicated medications, and be in excellent condition at the time of discharge.
• Externs agree to the "Payback Pledge," which consists of one week of volunteer work providing spay/neuter services at a shelter or spay/neuter facility of your choice, anywhere in the country within a year of graduation.

Standard Externship - 8 hours per day, 5 days per week for two weeks.
Surgery Externship - 8 hours per day, 5 days per week for one week.