YVC student selected for externship at raptor rehabilitation center

Second-year veterinary technology student Sarah Vines will complete her externship at The Raptor Center, one of the premier raptor rehabilitation centers in the country, this summer. The six-week program at the center, part of the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, will begin on June 14.

The YVC veterinary technology program has provided me with the skills and knowledge to advance my career,” stated Vines. “This foundation will be built of of as I gain more medical experience and work toward my goal.”

The Raptor Center sees around 1,000 sick and injured raptors each year in the clinic. Vines will have the opportunity to participate in medical treatments, captive management, and all aspects of surgical monitoring and laboratory diagnostics.

“During my externship I will be able to work with and learn from veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are experts in the field of avian medicine. I will learn how to apply the skills and knowledge I gained here in the YVC vet tech program to providing excellent care for our native wild birds,” she stated.

Externships are a key component of the YVC’s two-year veterinary technology curriculum, providing students with real-world, hands-on experience.

“The experience gained by clinical rotations is one of the most impactful aspects of the educational process,” stated Veterinary Technology Instructor Susan Wedam. “Experiential learning is critical in the field of veterinary medicine, and externships provide our students opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to a variety of medical and surgical cases that are not seen while on-campus.”

Vines will complete her degree in August 2021. She hopes to work at a major wildlife center and devote her career to treating native wildlife and conservation efforts.

Sarah Vines