Program Details

Performance Equine Vets is a progressive multi-doctor practice in Aiken, South Carolina. The main areas of the practice include reproduction, sports medicine, lameness and surgery. Aiken comprises a large, versatile community of horses. This allows the students exposure to a variety of diagnostics, procedures and treatments. Rotation through the departments offers a diversity in the team members experience and interests, this allows varied opinions and approaches to case management. Lameness evaluations, reproductive examinations, general practice visits and emergencies are seen both in the Hospital and on Field Service. This allows for an assortment of interest throughout the day. All of our rotations provide an opportunity for learning. Concepts and techniques will be discussed and reviewed at the end of each day. Our working student program has grown over the years and allowed PEVS the opportunity to form a customized schedule for our students. We pride ourselves on practicing excellent medicine and wish to pass along knowledge allowing students of our program to grow in their future endeavors.

During the program the student will be working under the supervision and guidance of our highly trained equine technicians as well as our staff of Veterinarians. The student will gain skills and knowledge in handling of the mare and foal, assisting with breeding of the mare, assisting with delivery of the foal, recipient mare herd care and management, assistance with management of the post-partum mare as well as care of the critically ill mare and foal. Students will be involved with initial assessment, treatments and management of the reproductive equine patient while hospitalized. In the Hospital, the student will assist with nursing care including grooming, feeding and turnout, as well as proper treatment and care of laboratory samples. Students will be expected to participate in sanitation, restocking and preparation of the examination areas. On the Field Service rotation, the student will gain valuable knowledge in patient restraint and patient preparation for procedures while assisting the veterinarian. The student will have primary call duty and will be expected to help the veterinarian and technician with emergencies after hours on a rotational basis.

Working Student Expectations

Our working student program requires dedicated individuals that are committed to hard work and long hours. Our hospital and staff operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year (including all holidays). Days off will rotate and night shifts will be involved in the schedule as needed. Throughout the work week students should anticipate working 50 – 70 hours. During this time students will have the opportunity to experience all aspects of the reproductive veterinary practice. We expect uniformly ethical conduct and excellent communication skills. All students will be expected to complete projects assigned in a timely fashion. Seek assistance from your supervisor or other staff members when needed, we look forward to providing mentoring whenever it is desirable. The ability to work as a team with a positive attitude and good people skills are requirements.

About Aiken

In the late 19th century, Aiken gained notoriety as a winter playground for the rich and famous. This “Winter Colony”, often credited to Thomas Hitchcock, Sr. and William C. Whitney, became a seasonal home for many notable people. George H. Bostwick, James B Eustis, Madeline Astor, William K. Vanderbilt, Eugene Grace, Allan Pinkerton, W. Averell Harriman, Seymour H. Knox II, Dorothy Goodyear Rogers heir to the Woolworth fortune, Devereaux Milburn, C. Oliver Iselin and others owned farms in Aiken.

Evidence from those historic days of old can be found in Aiken’s Hitchcock Woods, the largest urban forest in the nation. Once owned by Louise and Thomas Hitchcock, these impressive woods sprawl over 2,000 acres of forestland with more than 70 miles of sandy trails to explore. In 1939, the Hitchcock family committed 1,191 acres into “The Hitchcock Woods Foundation”, a nonprofit organization established to protect these woods for generations to come. In recent decades, the Foundation acquired an additional 900 acres expanding the use of this pristine and natural landscape. More than 100 years of equestrian sports continue in these woods.

Numerous disciplines are represented in Aiken lending to a truly unique equestrian community. Fox Hunting, Eventing, Polo, Combined Driving, Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Cutting, Barrel Racing, and Thoroughbred Training to name a few. In addition, Aiken’s close proximity to the metropolitan offerings in Columbia, Charleston and Augusta make this area a best-of-both-worlds place to live.

Established in 2005, Performance Equine Vets has grown into one of the largest clinics in the South Eastern United States. A state of the art Surgical Center, Critical Care Hospital and world class Reproduction Facility make Performance Equine Vets the only choice for professional horse owners and trainers seeking total care.

Join us as we grow PEVS into the future. Be a part of our success!

Housing

Accommodation, including utilities, is available to working students. Students are, however, responsible for their own meals.

Salary Package

$200/wk.

Applications

Applicants need to forward their Application, Curriculum Vitae and cover letter to:

contact@equinefertilityinstitute.com

Closing Date

Applications close February 1