Welcome to our Externship page at Belton Veterinary Clinic. We are a large 10 doctor mixed animal clinic that offers a large variety of services to our clients. We are pleased to offer students opportunities to gain valuable experience with interactive hands-on learning approach in a day-to-day veterinary setting. We have housing available to those who need/want it.
Each day students will be with one of our doctors going into rooms, seeing patients, doing surgery, going on ranch calls and learning the ropes of what day to day veterinary medicine entails. Students will get the chance to put their knowledge and skills to the test each day as we navigate each day they are here.
The first day of the externship we sit down with each student and get to know them, try to understand their needs and things they want to see while at our practice. We go over their weaknesses and their strengths as well. We try to tailor each extern’s experience with the needs that they have and the gaps they are looking to fill. Each extern really gets out of their time here what they put into it. We have many students seeing rooms, doing surgery and other tasks with oversite from one of our skilled veterinarians.
We do ask that you come ready to learn. That you have a can-do attitude and are willing to work a normal work day. We do give time off as needed during the externship. We do not expect them to be here every weekend or overnight. We do ask that you try to commit at least two weeks for the best experience but we can tailor shorter ones to each students needs.
What our externs have to say:
During my time on clinical rotation, I really grew — both in my hands-on skills and in how I connect with people. With regular practice and support from the veterinarians, I became much more confident doing physical exams and spotting when something wasn’t quite right. I also learned to think more critically and create treatment plans that made sense, thanks to real-world experience and lots of guidance.
One of the best parts was how welcoming and encouraging the doctors were. They made it easy to ask questions and always took the time to explain their reasoning, which helped everything click. I also had the chance to talk with clients directly, which taught me how to explain medical issues in a way that’s clear, honest, and caring.
This rotation exposed me to a wide range of cases, which really expanded my knowledge and gave me a better understanding of the many sides of veterinary medicine. More than anything, it helped me feel more confident and ready to take the next step in my veterinary journey.
Haley Daricek
University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine
DVM candidate c/o 2025
Belton Vet Clinic was a fantastic learning experience during my clinical rotations. The doctors and staff are amazing, supportive, and have a wealth of knowledge. They allowed me to have a hands-on experience that helped me transition from student to doctor while also providing help if needed. They offer both large and small animal medicine, allowing you to customize what you want to see. This was my best rotation, and I highly recommend BVC. Don't miss this opportunity!
Very respectfully,
Sarah Wise
University of Arizona
SCAAEP President
Student Ambassador
DVM Candidate 2025
During my time at Belton Veterinary Clinic, I was exposed to a wide variety of medical and surgical cases. Some of my favorite experiences involved getting to assist with more complex surgeries such as a splenectomy or TPLO. The team consistently encouraged and challenged me to expand my knowledge with each new patient that came through the doors. I am extremely grateful for this rotation, as it was not only a cornerstone in helping me pass my board exams but also instrumental in building my confidence and preparing me to take the next steps toward becoming a competent and compassionate DVM.
Brandon
University of Arizona CVM ‘25
My externship at Belton Veterinary Clinic was one of the most rewarding and memorable externships I have had! All of the doctors are not only exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable, but also very committed to mentoring the next generation of veterinarians. Their willingness to teach and involve me in a wide variety of cases allowed me to gain invaluable hands-on experience. I was treated with respect and received encouragement from both doctors and technicians, which had a truly positive impact on my confidence and my growth. I genuinely wish my time at BVC could have been longer. The relationships I built and the lessons I learned will continue to influence me throughout my career. I am very grateful for the opportunity, and I hope to stay in touch with many of the wonderful people I had the privilege to work with during my time there!
Josie Warner, University of Arizona CVM, Class of 2025
My externship at Belton Veterinary Clinic was a great way to start my clinical year! The diverse caseload and hands-on experiences were very helpful in putting what I learned in lectures into practice. Taking the lead on cases also helped me build my confidence in speaking with clients and creating diagnostic and treatment plans. The doctors here are great teachers and very welcoming of students!
Marena Fleming
DVM Candidate, University of Georgia
I thoroughly enjoyed my time as an extern at Belton Veterinary Clinic! The staff was so kind and welcoming and they genuinely loved having students around. The clinic sees a very broad case load, ranging from small animal wellness and medicine, to large animal, emergency and even orthopedic surgery, all of which provided so many learning opportunities. All of the vets were so eager to teach and challenged me to think through cases and make decisions.
Josh DeLord
NC State
My externship at Belton Veterinary Clinic was truly one of the most rewarding and educational experiences I’ve had during my clinical training. From the moment I arrived, the entire team—doctors, technicians, and support staff—made me feel welcome, respected, and included as part of their practice. I was involved in a wide range of hands-on experiences, from performing physical exams and developing treatment plans to client communication and assisting with surgeries and hospitalized cases.
What truly set Belton apart was not just the high quality of medicine practiced, but the character and generosity of the people who work there. Their deep commitment to student learning was evident every single day. The doctors didn’t just allow me to observe—they challenged me to think critically, test my knowledge, and actively participate.
Dr. Joffrion made a constant effort to include me in appointments, even during busy days, and always took the time to explain his thought process, offer feedback, and encourage me to think like a clinician. His support helped me grow more confident and capable in the exam room. Dr. Erskine fostered my clinical decision-making through guided questions and was genuinely invested in my growth. She was incredibly patient and approachable, always making me feel like a valued member of the team. Her calm demeanor and insightful teaching style gave me the space to think critically, ask questions, and build confidence in my skills.
Dr. Brongo gave me the opportunity to take ownership of hospitalized cases under her guidance. Dr. DeLord consistently included me in complex and interesting cases and provided excellent resources to support my learning. Dr. Mitchell modeled outstanding client communication, and every doctor I worked with provided thoughtful, respectful mentorship.
Dr. Fish provided a supportive learning environment, always welcoming questions and reinforcing clinical knowledge with clarity. He was always approachable and willing to answer questions, which reinforced my clinical knowledge and boosted my confidence. Dr. Frosh demonstrated exceptional leadership and organization, creating a setting where both students and staff could succeed. Dr. Wright showed his extensive large animal knowledge and safe handling techniques. Dr. Couture’s thorough, empathetic patient care was a model of excellence, and Dr. Tregre fostered a calm and welcoming atmosphere where I was invited to learn from engaging cases.
The technicians at Belton were also incredibly kind and skilled—they took time to teach me protocols, explain procedures, and support me every step of the way. The clinic culture was collaborative and student-friendly, which made it easy to learn and grow.
The team’s generosity extended beyond clinical instruction—they also provided a beautiful and welcoming place to stay at no cost to the students, which was deeply appreciated and truly above and beyond.
Belton Veterinary Clinic exemplifies what a veterinary externship should be: hands-on, educational, supportive, and inspiring. I am so grateful for my time there and highly recommend this externship site to any student looking to grow both personally and professionally.