Connecting Future Aggie Veterinarians with Rural Texas
The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) developed the Rural Veterinary Practice Preclinical Externship in 2024 as part of our commitment to graduating veterinarians prepared to serve communities of all sizes. This program allows first- and second-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students to complete a two-week summer externship in a small-town Texas veterinary clinic while being introduced to the variety of experiences within small-town culture.
Rural Partnerships Take Root
Developed in partnership with the Texas A&M College of Medicine’s Rural Medicine Program, the Rural Veterinary Practice Preclinical Externship program is an interprofessional collaboration for healthcare professions students that provides an opportunity for young professionals to bond with the rural communities that have traditionally been overlooked when young veterinarians and physicians choose a professional home.
Our veterinary and human health-focused programs are designed so that students will consider returning to these areas after graduation. The veterinary program benefits both the DVM students and the veterinarians who oversee their externships. The DVM students receive mentorship and information about future job opportunities in the community, and veterinarians build relationships with young professionals who may find employment with them or become future practice owners when they retire.
2024 Program Statistics
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Support for the Program
The Rural Veterinary Practice Preclinical Externship was set up for early success by Judy D. ‘78 and Dr. Tim R. Turner ‘74, ’77, whose generosity provided a $1,500 stipend to help students cover their travel and living expenses during the two-week externships.
“The Turners are amazing partners. Their donation allowed us to host additional students in the pilot year,” said Dr. Kristin Chaney, professional programs assistant dean for curriculum and assessment. “With additional donor support in the future, we’re hopeful that we can increase both the number of rural communities and the number of students participating. The more Texans we can serve with this program, the better positioned we are to support rural communities with veterinary professionals in the future.”
Students Say “Howdy” to Rural Life
“Before participating in the program, I thought it would be difficult as an outsider coming to work in a small town. However, my initial thoughts couldn’t have been further from the truth. There was a strong sense of community, and everyone was so welcoming and eager to have veterinary students come to learn and be immersed in the community.” — Laurel Bailey, a second-year veterinary student and 2024 externship participant
“With many rural veterinarians playing a role in livestock agriculture, it is a blessing that this profession is being recognized for its role in these areas and that someone is willing to help more students experience it for themselves. This is vital for the continued good health of our food animals.” — Alyssa Otto, a first-year veterinary student and 2024 externship participant
For more information, contact Drs. Glennon Mays (gmays@cvm.tamu.edu) and Kristin Chaney (kchaney@cvm.tamu.edu). First- and second-year veterinary students are encouraged to apply.
Applications are due through Canvas course pages before the first class day of each Spring semester.
