Performance Horse Medicine in the Field, at the Hospital & at Top-tier Equestrian Events

Desert Pines Equine is southern Nevada’s only full-service primary care, referral, and emergency hospital for horses, providing sports medicine, surgery, internal medicine, reproduction, preventive care, ambulatory, emergency, and critical care services. Our thriving six-doctor practice includes a surgeon, an internist, and excellent support staff. Our mission is to provide professional, high-quality, progressive medicine with compassionate care and excellent customer service to our clients and their horses. 

Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world but Vegas includes so much more than just the iconic strip. There is a thriving equine community beyond the glow of the neon lights, with a diverse horse population competing in events such as show jumping, dressage, eventing, racing, western pleasure, western cow-horse, cutting, and rodeo. As we move into fall, we welcome some of our largest events, including the Las Vegas National Horse Show, Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The practice has served as the official veterinarians for the National Finals Rodeo since 1985, when the rodeo moved to Las Vegas from Oklahoma City.

Externship Opportunities

Let us share our knowledge and passion for the horse with you by completing an externship at Desert Pines Equine. Under direct supervision, veterinary students will be able to observe and interact during case diagnosis both in the clinic and during ambulatory services. During in-clinic rotations, students will participate in patient treatments and care. Given the high percentage of emergency cases at Desert Pines Equine, there is ample opportunity for the student to see and assist with after-hours emergencies. On-site housing allows the student to become fully immersed in the day-to-day activities, learning, supporting the Desert Pines Equine team, and considering if an internship is on the horizon.

How to apply

Applicants interested in an externship are invited to submit a letter of intent and curriculum vitae to Veronica O'Donnell at vodonnell@desertpinesequine.com.

About Desert Pines Equine Medical & Surgical Center

At Desert Pines Equine Medical & Surgical Center, our mission is to provide professional, high-quality, progressive medicine with compassionate care and excellent customer service to our clients and their horses. Desert Pines Equine is a well-established six-doctor practice with a surgeon, an internist, and excellent support staff serving as southern Nevada’s only fully-service equine veterinary hospital. The clinic has two large exam/treatment rooms, ICU stalls, a barn for hospitalization, and a surgical suite. The clinic also has state-of-the-art equipment, including digital radiography, 1 and 3-meter endoscopy, digital ultrasound, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, power-float dental equipment, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and class IV laser, IRAP processing, PRP and an in-house laboratory. The practice is currently 40% ambulatory with 60% in clinic caseload. Las Vegas has a diverse horse population with equestrians from dressage, jumping, show, racing, and the rodeo arena. The clinic sits just 20 minutes from the Red Rock National Conservation Area. You may think you know Vegas, but beyond the strip, the city has a small-town feel and a robust horse community. With over 310 sun...ny days a year, it serves as a great climate for outdoor activities such as trail running, mountain biking, mountain climbing, golf, team roping, trail riding, and competing in equestrian events, to name a few. Plus, it is home to professional sports teams, including The Raiders (NFL) and The Las Vegas Golden Knights (NHL), and many national equestrian events, from show jumpers to professional rodeo.

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Connections working at Desert Pines Equine Medical & Surgical Center