An Insider's Look at Prescott Animal Hospital

University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine students encounter exciting learning opportunities that add to their professional toolkits and inform their career decisions during the third year of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine education. As a part of our distributive clinical model, students gain varied real-world experience working and learning from experienced veterinarians at partner clinical practices. Prescott Animal Hospital, located in Prescott, Arizona, is a collaborative clinical site where students can learn vital skills in a personalized environment. Emphasizing cooperation and partnership with doctoral students, this site is committed to providing high-quality, hands-on clinical experiences. This mixed-animal practice offers students excellent opportunities to gain real-world expertise and develop essential skills. We recently spoke with Amy Robl, Practice Manager at Prescott Animal Hospital, to learn more about the learning opportunities available at this clinical site.

Amy, who has been with Prescott Animal Hospital for seven years, is passionate about teaching students and helping shape the future of veterinary medicine. She shared,

“It's a very important role, and we have an opportunity to help form the next generation of veterinarians. That's not only through teaching them the hard skills, but also the soft skills of communicating with clients and technicians. At the end of the day, my core mission is to make sure they have a good experience and they're coming out with the tools that they need to be successful veterinarians.”

Education in real-world clinics like Prescott Animal Hospital focuses on educating the next generation of veterinarians by emphasizing the importance of imparting clinical skills and fostering effective communication skills. Skills in these combined areas result in more confident, well-prepared veterinarians.

Partnering with Students

Prescott Animal Hospital enjoys a diverse caseload, catering to a wide range of patients and conditions. With approximately 125 to 150 patients seen daily, the hospital manages everything from urgent care and emergencies to routine wellness care. The hospital covers various areas of veterinary medicine, including orthopedics, dentistry, and ultrasound. Prescott understands the importance of tailoring students’ experiences to aid in learning. Through a discovery questionnaire, students can express their areas of interest or any specific skills they wish to develop. Students who want exposure to exotics, for example, or specific areas such as dentistry, are matched with the appropriate doctors. Amy said,

“[The experience] is catered to the things that [students] feel like they need to grow in. If they have no specific preferences, they are placed with one of our 11 veterinarians who also matches their communication style and personality. That’s all taken into consideration.”

The hospital is committed to creating a personalized learning environment where students can grow their veterinary skills and thrive as emerging practitioners.

Real-World Experience

When students begin their clinical rotation, they attend an introductory orientation day, where they learn how to use the scheduling software and other general information. Daily, they utilize the scheduling software to select around four cases to focus on and attend with the doctor. Smaller caseloads help students develop stronger diagnostic skills and learn more from experienced practitioners. The hospital works to keep student experiences varied and educational. Amy shared,

“If we find a student that’s starting to fall into a routine, the doctor will adjust and say, ‘Hey, I have this interesting diagnostic that's a little bit more complex. Why don't you do some research on it?’ It depends on the student, but it's more about the development of the diagnostics and treatment plan.”

These efforts to keep the student experience lively and wide-ranging aid students in becoming well-rounded and equipped for their future profession.

One of the standout features of Prescott Animal Hospital is the exposure it offers students to different clients and their unique needs. By working closely with doctors and technicians, students actively participate in developing treatment plans, executing them, and effectively communicating with clients. Amy highlighted the significance of students learning to adapt their approach to meet clients’ financial constraints and varying communication styles. She shared,

“Students have exposure to modifying the way they practice to fit the client's needs. For low-income households, they [learn to] find alternative diagnostics. Figuring out alternative treatment plans, and that comprehensive caseload and case view in general, is unique to our hospital.”

This broad exposure helps students gain a holistic understanding of veterinary practice, preparing them for real-life situations they will face in their future careers.

Prescott Animal Hospital serves as a distinctive clinical site that values education, mentorship, and the development of future veterinarians. Through their partnership with CVM, they provide students with invaluable hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of their future role. Amy and her team at Prescott are dedicated to ensuring students have a fulfilling and successful experience during their clinical rotation here. With their commitment to teaching and mentorship, Prescott Animal Hospital is shaping the next generation of compassionate and skilled day-one-ready veterinarians.