The Internship program at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital is hands on with consistent mentorship encompassing a large caseload. The interns play an integral role at SLREH and are valued members of the team; the senior clinicians depend on the assistance of the interns to manage each case, while providing detailed mentorship and training in exchange.

The large volume and diversity of cases seen at the clinic provide opportunity for substantial advancement of skill set and knowledge base for each intern. Dedicated interns at SLREH will gain experience becoming competent and proficient with a multitude of different surgery, sports medicine & rehabilitation, imaging, internal medicine, and emergency skills. The internship fully prepares each individual for a career in private practice or for a residency position.

Primary duties will include routine clinical, outpatient, and intensive care, patient management, anesthesia, and surgical assistance. Interns are also responsible for assisting the primary clinicians with emergency, imaging, sports medicine, and lameness cases. The interns will gain invaluable hands-on experience while acquiring decision making and client communication skills. The first several months, 100% supervision will be provided. As the year progresses, the amount of direct supervision will decrease based on primary clinician comfort and intern experience.

Services offered but not limited to Computed Tomography, Elective and emergency surgical services, sports medicine and rehabilitation, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and Nuclear Scintigraphy. A full list of services can be found at www.slreh.com. Interns are also exposed to our sister practices which focus on sports medicine ambulatory services, racetrack ambulatory services, and a state of the art rehabilitation center.

Our team is currently comprised of five full time associates, 2 fellows, 5 interns, 6 technicians, 7 barn staff, and 3 office personnel. Our case load is predominately sport horses and racehorses. The hospital has a full elective caseload for orthopedic and laparoscopic surgery, advanced imagining, and sports medicine, in addition to an emergency department.

Living accommodations on the clinic grounds are provided in the form of a furnished five bedroom house (brand new housing), which is shared by the interns. Professional Liability insurance and AAEP membership fees will be paid by SLREH. Additionally, a generous medical insurance package is provided by SLREH. Interns are given paid time off in addition to their regularly scheduled time off. All interns will participate in morning and evening hospital rounds, as well as journal club rounds once weekly. 

Internships are offered annually, starting each year on July 1. Externships are not required, however applicants that have visited SLREH may have an advantage. Application should be sent to slreh@slreh.com by November 1, with prerequisites listed below:

• DVM or equivalent degree
• Letter of Intent
• CV
• Three letters of recommendations.

If interested we can put eligible candidates in touch with current or past interns to discuss their experience and the position. The hospital is unique in that all clinicians have been past interns at SLREH, and have stayed on or returned following residencies to fill associate or owner positions. Previous interns have gone on to start their own practice, join other referral or general practices, or commence residency programs. Incoming interns will be provided an internship manual and will undergo internship orientation prior to commencement. 

Veterinary degree

About San Luis Rey Equine Hospital

San Luis Rey Equine Hospital is a full-service facility, providing advanced diagnostics, in addition to lameness, medical and surgical care to horses from around the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The hospital is entrusted with the care of thousands of horses each year, and prides itself on developing positive working relationships with clients and their local veterinarians. For 50 years, San Luis Rey Equine Hospital has provided dedicated care to the Pacific West Coast and Southern California Equine community. San Luis Rey Equine Hospital combines true compassion with state-of-the-art technology to provide unparalleled medical and specialized surgical equine care with our expertise branching beyond these specific fields into sports medicine, lameness and rehabilitation. As leaders in the equine industry, we dedicate our resources to putting the horse first, providing unwavering compassionate care and attention to detail.

Connections working at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital