UC Davis to Revive Small Animal Rotating Internship After 45 Years

The curriculum of the internship includes core rotations in small animal internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, emergency and critical care, cardiology, medical oncology, neurology, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, and clinical pathology. Interns can also choose elective rotations in areas such as exotics, orthopedic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, primary care, anatomic pathology, radiation oncology, nutrition, and behavior, along with potential research opportunities.

Interns will gain experience with a diverse range of cases, from emergency and first-opinion consultations to referral and specialty cases, within one of the nation's busiest academic teaching hospitals, handling over 55,000 patients annually.

Dr. Jamie Burkitt, co-director of House Officer Affairs, noted that intern responsibilities will scale with their experience and comfort level, allowing them to progressively manage emergency cases and complex specialty situations under the guidance of board-certified specialists. Dr. Michael Mison, the VMTH’s chief veterinary medical officer, described the internship as a highly immersive experience designed to enhance clinical skills and build confidence in new graduates.

The program primarily targets recent DVM graduates, serving as a foundation for various career paths, including specialty residency, clinical practice, referral medicine, emergency care, and quality general practice. Dr. Kate Hopper, director of the VMTH's Small Animal Hospital, pointed out that exposure to a broad spectrum of specialists at UC Davis will help interns identify career avenues they might not have previously considered.

This program also offers current DVM students the opportunity to work alongside interns, gaining insights into the academic internship experience.

Key dates for the program include:

- Positions: 5

- Program year: 2027-28

- Applications open: November 1, 2026

- Applications close: January 4, 2027

Applications will be submitted through the Veterinary Intern and Resident Matching Program (VIRMP), with further details available on the UC Davis House Officer website. The decision to pursue a rotating internship remains a topic of debate among new graduates, balancing the benefits of mentorship and caseload against concerns about pay and working hours. Notably, this internship offers structure and clear pathways for increasing autonomy within a rich clinical environment, making it a significant option for fourth-year veterinary students.