Rural Veterinary Internship Program Expands Student Opportunities

This summer, four Iowa State veterinary students are gaining firsthand experience in rural practice through the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Rural Veterinary Internship Program, or RVIP.

The 12-week program pairs each student with a practicing veterinarian, giving students an opportunity to experience the day-to-day work of a rural clinic while becoming involved in the community it serves. In addition to their clinical work, students complete a community engagement or service project during the summer.

RVIP is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Food Animal Veterinary Internship Program, which also includes internship opportunities in swine, bovine and poultry medicine. Since 2006, the college’s internship programs have provided more than 400 students with hands-on summer experiences alongside practicing veterinarians. Dr. Derald Holtkamp, professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, leads the programs, with coordination from Chris Mowrer and several other faculty members.

Launched in 2023, RVIP focuses on the realities of working in a rural clinic, including building relationships with clients and becoming part of the surrounding community.

The program was initially supported through discretionary funds designated by Dean Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine. Thanks to the generosity of an Iowa State DVM graduate, the program expanded from two interns to four this summer.

One of this year’s host veterinarians is Dr. Shamus Brown, a 2013 Iowa State veterinary medicine graduate with Estherville Veterinary Clinic. Brown is mentoring Ellie Johnson, a second-year Iowa State veterinary student. When asked why he continues to participate in the program, Brown pointed to the long-term value of introducing students to rural practice and building relationships with future veterinarians.

“If I care about the future of my practice, I have a vested interest in participating in this program,” Brown said. “While I would love for Ellie to come to my clinic when she is done, I realize that may not happen. However, if she can go back and tell 10 of her classmates that she had a great experience at Estherville Veterinary Clinic, that gives me a leg up on recruiting a new graduate.”

Finding enough veterinarians and clinics willing to host students remains one of the program’s greatest challenges.

Veterinarians interested in hosting a future RVIP student can learn more can contact Chris Mowrer at clmower@iastate.edu or Derald Holtkamp at holtkamp@iastate.edu. More information on RVIP is available online.