University of Saskatchewan

What you'll study

This clinical internship provides a broad, hands‑on experience across the core small animal disciplines in a referral and teaching hospital environment. The programme is typically organised as a series of block rotations that include internal medicine, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, emergency and critical care, anaesthesia and pain management, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia, oncology, cardiology and dermatology, with opportunities to rotate through neurology, ophthalmology, dentistry and exotic/small mammal services depending on caseload and staffing.

Training focuses on progressive responsibility for case management: history taking, advanced diagnostics, formulation of treatment plans, performing and assisting in surgical procedures, emergency stabilisation, anaesthetic planning and monitoring, and postoperative care. Interns participate in hospital rounds, morbidity and mortality rounds, journal clubs, teaching of junior learners and staff case presentations. Programmes commonly incorporate a supervised clinical or quality improvement project, and opportunities to gain experience interpreting laboratory and imaging results alongside specialists.

Typical weekly patterns combine daytime clinics, scheduled speciality rotations, on‑call or emergency shifts, and protected time for rounds and study. Assessment is workplace‑based and includes direct observation, case logs, feedback from supervisors and completion of specified competency milestones.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a veterinary degree (DVM, BVSc or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Recent graduates and veterinarians with some clinical experience are eligible. Applicants will normally be required to submit a curriculum vitae, a personal statement outlining clinical and career goals, and academic transcripts. References — usually two or three professional referees — are requested, typically including at least one clinical supervisor who can comment on clinical skills and teamwork.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency according to the college’s requirements and must meet any licensure or registration conditions to work in Canada. Successful candidates are expected to hold appropriate immunisations and provide evidence of good health. Selection also commonly includes an interview (in person or virtual) and assessment of clinical suitability and motivation for a rotating internship.

Career prospects

Graduates of a rotating small animal internship leave with substantially enhanced clinical skills, confidence in case management and a more competitive profile for advanced training. Common career paths include:

• Application to residency programmes in small animal specialties (internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, neurology, oncology, etc.).
• Employment in advanced general practice or emergency and critical care clinics, where the intern’s experience is valued for managing complex cases and on‑call shifts.
• Academic positions that combine clinical practice with teaching and research, especially for those who undertake a clinical project during the internship.
• Roles in diagnostic services, industry or governmental veterinary services that require strong clinical assessment and communication skills.

Why study at University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine provides a high‑volume, multidisciplinary veterinary teaching hospital with a broad caseload spanning primary, emergency and referral medicine. Interns benefit from direct supervision by board‑certified specialists and experienced clinicians, structured mentorship, and regular teaching rounds that integrate current evidence and clinical practice.

The college emphasises a collegial learning environment with access to diagnostic laboratories, advanced imaging modalities, surgical facilities and opportunities to collaborate on clinical research and quality improvement initiatives. Training at a Canadian veterinary college also offers exposure to regional caseloads and referral patterns, preparing graduates for diverse clinical careers in general practice, specialty training and academia.