The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has a wide range of extra learning opportunities for students looking to broaden or deepen their education

Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons offers Cornell veterinary students a truly unique opportunity to experience veterinary medicine in a developing country.

The program provides grants to Cornell veterinary students who are interested in veterinary experience in developing nations. Students spend 6-10 weeks in a developing country engaged in either veterinary research or hands on veterinary experience (this ranges from wildlife rehabilitation to working with local farmers to develop artificial insemination techniques for their dairy herds) . Some countries that our students have traveled to through this program are Ghana, Uganda, Madagascar, Thailand, Vietnam, Honduras, South Africa, Kenya etc. It is the student's responsibility to identify contacts and projects in the country they want to work in. However the faculty and the Office of Student and Academic Services work with students to help them identify contacts.

Students can participate in the expanding horizons program anytime during their four years but given the curriculum demands and the academic calendar, most students participate in the program during the summer of the first or second year.

AQUAVET®

A program for students, established scholars, and clinicians that focuses well-being of the aquatic environment and its inhabitants with hands-on field work.

Summer Dairy Institute

An advanced training program for prospective dairy veterinarians held at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Veterinary Investigator & Leadership Program (VILP)

The Veterinary Investigator Program is a 10-week summer program designed to provide incoming Cornell DVM students and current veterinary students with a rigorous and rewarding exposure to biomedical research at the highest level of inquiry, as well as to motivate students to pursue studies on research problems relevant to veterinary medicine. While Cornell DVM students are encouraged to apply, a limited number of spaces are also reserved for external veterinary students.

Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health Student Support Fund

The Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health Student Support Fund supports Cornell DVM students with wildlife health interests to participate in relevant off-campus experiences involving free-ranging or captive wildlife that are not eligible for the Expanding Horizons Program; undertake on-campus research projects that could lead to publications and/or poster/talk presentations; and/or present their work at relevant professional conferences.

The Student Support Fund provides valuable opportunities for Cornell DVM students passionate about wildlife health to apply what they are learning in the classroom in the real world. Through hands-on, "muddy boots" experiences, students can enhance their clinical or research skills, see how science can be channeled into action, expand their professional networks by engaging with the broader conservation community, and explore potential career paths. 

FARVets International

FARVets (Feral, abandoned, rescued animals) organized by Cornell veterinary faculty member Dr. Paul Maza, is dedicated to implementing projects abroad to assist local animal welfare organizations with their missions of vaccination, increasing animal welfare awareness via pet education, treating medical conditions and addressing overpopulation by holding sterilization surgery clinics. The typically week long program includes wellness procedures such as physical examinations, vaccinations, parasite control and other medical procedures as necessary and possible. During the surgery clinics, students perform examinations, anesthesia, and perform and assist with ovariohysterectomies and castrations, and surgery recovery.  In addition, students work with local veterinarians and animal shelter staff and volunteers to communicate and educate the local pet owners on aspects of pet health and welfare. Cornell vet students have traveled to Mexico, Grenada and Costa Rica as part of the program. Plans are made for working with communities in Belize, Peru and Taiwan.

Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Foundation Fellowship Program

This ten-week program allows first-, second- or third-year veterinary students from College of Veterinary Medicine in the United States and abroad to participate in current projects at the Equine Genetics Center of the Baker Institute for Animal Health. Start dates are flexible for any consecutive 10-week period between May and September.