Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program: Changes to the Externship Course Enhancing Opportunities for Students and the Veterinary Community
April 08, 2025
At OVC, we take great pride in being ranked among the top veterinary schools in the world. Since the inception of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, we have remained leaders in veterinary education, continuously revisiting different components of the program to keep pace with the evolving needs of the profession. Experiential learning is a key part of our DVM program, and we are committed to providing students with meaningful opportunities to gain mentorship from practicing veterinarians, which is crucial for transitioning from classroom learning to clinical practice.
The Externship is a mandatory course undertaken by DVM students during their fourth year of study. This eight-week in-clinic placement allows students to gain real-world experience and apply their training, while serving as essential preparation for their final clinical year. “Hands-on experience in clinical settings plays a critical role in shaping well-rounded, practice-ready graduates who can effectively meet the demands of the veterinary profession,” says Dr. Jeff Wichtel, Dean, Ontario Veterinary College.
“In response to feedback from students and veterinary practices, we have recognized that limiting the Externship to mixed veterinary practices restricted students' ability to gain experience in other practices which may align more closely with their chosen stream of study and career goals.” To better meet the diverse career interests and needs of our students, we are introducing the following changes, effective summer 2026.
Key Updates to the Externship Course
Expanded placement eligibility – Beginning in summer 2026, all veterinarians in Ontario who are working in a College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) accredited primary care practice, have been in practice for at least one year and have no disciplinary rulings against them will be eligible to host DVM Externship students. This expansion will provide students across all program streams (Companion Animal, Rural Community Practice, Food Animal, and Equine) with greater flexibility in selecting placements that align with their career goals.
Stronger Ontario-based learning - Externships will now be limited to Ontario practices, to help us meet requirements set by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education. This change ensures that students gain experience in practices that meet the rigorous standards of the CVO, upholding the quality and consistency of their clinical training.
Continued support for mixed animal practices - Starting in September 2025, 20 additional DVM students from Northern Ontario, who will complete the Rural Community Practice stream in their final year, will be admitted into the DVM program through a partnership between Lakehead University and the University of Guelph. This collaboration will provide a steady stream of students to mixed-animal practices, helping meet the veterinary care needs of underserved and rural communities across Ontario.
What This Means for the Veterinary Industry
Increased access to skilled, practice-ready graduates - The expanded Externship opportunities will help ensure a steady flow of skilled, practice-ready veterinary professionals across Ontario’s diverse regions, meeting the growing demand for qualified practitioners.
Strengthened Ontario-based training - With a focus on Ontario practices, these changes will foster closer ties between students and the veterinary community within the province, building stronger professional networks and increasing collaborative opportunities.
Enhanced support for rural and food animal practices - The addition of Northern Ontario students will directly address workforce shortages in rural and food animal sectors, contributing to the sustainability of veterinary care in these critical areas.
These updates are part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a high-quality education and supporting the future of veterinary care in Ontario. For more information on the Externship program and placement eligibility, please visit the External Clinical Training Placements webpage.
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