Veterinary tech treating small white dog

Veterinary and vet tech externship opportunities at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, you can get real-world experience and hands-on training working alongside some of the best medical professionals in the field.

If you are studying to become a veterinarian or a veterinary technician, or you are seeking a career in shelter medicine, explore the possibility of completing your externship at the Sanctuary's state-of-the-art veterinary clinic. The clinic provides care to a wide variety of Sanctuary animals and pets in the local community.

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Fourth-year veterinary student externship

If you are a fourth-year veterinary student considering a career in shelter medicine, there is no better place than Best Friends to complete your externship.

Under the guidance of Best Friends veterinarians, externs assist with the clinic's daily operations, including:

  • Participating in medical rounds
  • Making diagnoses
  • Offering treatment recommendations
  • Conducting scheduled appointments
  • Assisting in emergency situations
  • Completing special projects, as assigned
  • Performing spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures (depending on prior surgical experience)


The standard length of the veterinary extern rotation is two weeks. Please let us know if your school has other requirements. Rotations typically fill up 12-18 months in advance. Please contact internships@bestfriends.org about current availability before submitting your application. Read the complete veterinary extern description.

Apply for the fourth-year veterinary student externship
Vet tech sitting on floor and petting black dog

Veterinary technician externship program

Our veterinary technician externship program is currently on hold.

Please check back for updates and email internships@bestfriends.org with any questions.

Extern scholarship opportunities

Thanks to some kind and generous Best Friends supporters, externship scholarships are available.

An extern scholarship can help you with travel, lodging and general living expenses during the externship. If you've been accepted into the externship program, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship.

See available extern scholarships. Questions? Email internships@bestfriends.org. Best Friends also offers internships: Learn more.

Apply for a Sanctuary internship