College of Veterinary Medicine - Cornell University

Visiting Veterinarian Program

The college offers a program for veterinary practitioners who wish to observe services in the Cornell University Hospital for Animals for a limited period of time. Veterinarians visiting college facilities are observers only; for insurance reasons they are not allowed to become involved in clinical procedures. Demonstrated competence and proficiency in both spoken and written English language skills are required to facilitate the educational process.

Application Procedures & Requirements - please fill out and return application Form- Visitor check list of requirements NO.F- pav37

Visitations to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals by veterinary practitioners must be approved in advance by the faculty of the medical service through our coordinator - Pilar Thompson.

Because we are located in a rabies endemic area, we require proof of rabies vaccine/titer check with results or proof of a booster within two years of your visit dates.

If you will be visiting our Zoological Medicine/ Wildlife and Exotics Service or Laboratory Animal Medicine rotations; proof of a negative Tuberculine (TB) test is required within one year of your visit dates.

You will be required to provide proof of a US based health insurance policy showing coverage during your visit dates as well. Without all the proofs mentioned above you will not be permitted in the clinics.

To obtain more information about applying to the Visiting Veterinarian Program, see contact information below.

Infection Control Guidelines
These procedures are to be performed prior to entering the Cornell University Hospital for Animals.

1. Clothing MUST BE thoroughly laundered before being worn. Bring more than one pair of coveralls or lab coats.
2. Footwear must be carefully and thoroughly scrubbed clean and disinfected using the following procedure:
• For rubber over boots, scrub well with a detergent. (Detergent with bleach, mixed at 2 ounce per gallon of water works well for this.)
• After scrubbing, mix a fresh solution of detergent in hot water and fully immerse the boots for at least 15 minutes. (IF available, a disinfectant can be used in place of detergent.)
• Rinse boots with water, allow to dry completely.
• For other footwear, clean and scrub as described above. Use a toothbrush to get into any grooves in the soles. After cleaning, if boots cannot be immersed, allow the soles of the shoes to stand in a shallow container in a solution of 1:32 bleach solution (4 oz. per gallon) for a minimum of 5 minutes. Allow boots to dry completely.
3. DO NOT bring equipment (pocket organizers, thermometers, hoof picks, lead ropes, fanny packs) to our facilities unless they are new.
4. Stethoscopes are the exception. Your stethoscope must be thoroughly cleaned. To clean, first remove any organic matter with a wet sponge. Using a 4x4, wipe with Nolvasan solution, covering all surface areas, allow to dry. Wipe off with water and soft cloth, spray or wipe stethoscope with alcohol and allow to dry. Use Q-tips to clean the small parts and remove the cover on the head of the stethoscope and clean separately following the above procedure.

 

Cost - A weekly fee may be charged for observation visits.  Visiting veterinarians are responsible for all personal arrangements and associated expenses in addition to their own visa arrangements. For details on any visit please contact Ms. Thompson directly. A non-refundable application and processing fee will be charged once your visit is approved.