OSU veterinary students intern in Parkersburg

PARKERSBURG -- Veterinarian students gained hands-on experience this summer in Parkersburg as part of a externship program through The Ohio State University.

The Parkersburg Veterinary Hospital was chosen to participate in the Stanton Summer Program. Dr. Todd Shockey said the Parkersburg facility has helped train four OSU students this summer, with each group of two working for four weeks. The placements are called an externship because they are through an academic job placement program.

"This provides real-world experience and helps them to learn critical thinking skills. They are taught by people in a wide range of specialties," Shockey said. "Through this program, the students here this summer have done close to a combined 200 spays and neuters for the local pet population, all while honing their skills."

Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine students Jed Henning and Krystal Bowers wrapped up their four weeks on Friday. Both are moving into their second year of the OSU veterinary program.

"It's been an absolutely wonderful experience," Henning said. "Here we have had a lot of hands-on work, and that's not something that starts for most students until later. We've already started way ahead."

"They've been very welcoming to us, which has made it an even better experience," Bowers said. "This is honestly one of the best summers I've every had. It has given me confidence going forward in my studies."

Dr. Rustin Moore, dean of the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, said 24 students were selected to participate in internships at six different facilities in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

The students were chosen out of a pool of 50 veterinary students.

"It's a very competitive program," he said. "They get to study a broad spectrum of care."

Moore said the program purposefully teams with practices which deal with a wide range of animal needs and a broad socio-economic and demographic customer base.

"The purpose is to build confidence, competence and career readiness," Moore said. "Our program's motto is: 'No matter the person, pet, place or problem, there is always an option.'"

Michael Erb can be reached at merb@newsandsentinel.com.