Calfternship Student Experience - CalfCare

Heritage Vet Partners and their Partner Clinics•North Manchester, IN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Calfternship is a paid, 2–3-week externship focused on calf raising for second-, third-, and fourth-year veterinary students interested in bovine medicine and research. Calfterns work alongside veterinarians and staff on client consultations, research trial design and support, research animal care and processing, emergency calls, vaccination protocols, diagnostics, and necropsy. They contribute to case discussions as a “Junior DVM” to develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. On the final Thursday, each Calftern presents an externship case or topic at the morning veterinarian meeting. CalfCare is a calf-exclusive veterinary practice in northern Indiana and a member of the Heritage Vet Partners network. It serves clients raising dairy and dairy-cross feeder calves, dairy replacement heifers, and dairy and beef feeder cattle across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois. Its services include preventive medicine, vaccine protocols, diagnostics, management consultation, contract research and development, and supplies to support client success and profitability. Applications for Fall 2027 and/or Spring 2028 are due by February 28, 2027, and must include an application, resume, cover letter, and three references. A committee of CalfCare employees will select up to four Calfterns for the 2027–2028 school year.

Requirements

Be a second-, third-, or fourth-year veterinary student.
Have an interest in bovine medicine and research.
Submit an application, resume, cover letter, and three references by February 28, 2027.

Responsibilities

Work alongside veterinarians and staff on client consultations.
Support research trial design and research trials.
Provide care for and process research animals.
Participate in emergency calls.
Work with vaccination protocols and diagnostics.
Participate in necropsy.
Contribute to case discussions as a “Junior DVM.”
Present an externship case or topic at the morning veterinarian meeting on the final Thursday.