Your veterinary career is just beginning. Our AAHA-accredited Emergency Medicine Mentorship Program provides 12 weeks of intensive, hands-on training followed by increasing clinical responsibility, with experienced emergency veterinarians and specialists helping you build the confidence, skills, and judgment to practice independently.
Emergency medicine is challenging, rewarding, and constantly evolving. Becoming a confident emergency veterinarian takes time, experience, and the right support.
At 1st Pet Veterinary Centers, we’ve designed a program that helps new graduates and veterinarians transitioning into emergency medicine turn their medical knowledge into practical experience.
You’ll be challenged to think critically, make decisions, manage cases, and grow into your role as an emergency veterinarian, with experienced colleagues supporting you along the way.
Many practices say they offer mentorship. We went further: 1st Pet’s Emergency Medicine Mentorship Program is AAHA Mentorship Accredited—one of the few in the country that meets AAHA’s rigorous standards for structured support of new veterinarians.
You won’t be expected to know everything on your first day. Our program is designed to help you build experience, take on new challenges, and develop clinical independence at a pace guided by your demonstrated skills.
Begin with supervised, hands-on training alongside experienced emergency veterinarians and specialists across our three hospitals.
As you demonstrate competence, take on increasing responsibility through day, overnight, and mid-shifts, managing emergency cases and making clinical decisions with continued support.
Your growth doesn’t stop after the initial 12 weeks. Ongoing mentorship, case reviews, and regular feedback help you continue developing your skills and clinical judgment.
Build confidence in triage, managing emergency cases, and overseeing critically ill hospitalized patients in a busy emergency setting.
Strengthen your problem-solving skills, make informed medical decisions, and learn when to collaborate with another veterinarian or specialist.
Develop your understanding of best medical practices and spectrum of care while building skills and confidence in emergency procedures and surgeries.
Learn to explain complex medical information, navigate difficult conversations, manage emotionally charged situations, and advocate for your patients.
Develop clinical leadership skills and build strong working relationships, all while learning to coordinate patient care in a fast-paced emergency environment.
Gain an understanding of team resource management and best practices in the business of modern veterinary medicine.
YOU WON’T LEARN EMERGENCY MEDICINE ALONE
Your development is supported through a combination of hands-on training, direct mentorship and ongoing education, including:
Your mentorship experience is just the beginning. Our goal is to help you build a rewarding, long-term career in emergency medicine, with opportunities to continue learning and growing as part of the 1st Pet team.
We also recognize that a fulfilling veterinary career includes life outside the hospital. While emergency medicine can be demanding, we strive to create a supportive, collaborative, and flexible working environment where you can build a sustainable career.
We want you to grow into a veterinarian who feels confident in your work, connected to your team, and proud of the career you’re building.
Our mentorship program is designed to do more than prepare you for your next shift. We’re investing in veterinarians who want to build rewarding, long-term careers in emergency medicine.
As a 100% employee-owned veterinary organization, we believe the people caring for our patients should have a stake in the future of our company. That’s why our mentorship program also helps you understand the business side of veterinary medicine, including practice management and finances.
Your path to practice ownership begins on day one, with no financial investment required.
You’ve spent years preparing to become a veterinarian. Now it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Our structured program helps you make the transition from veterinary school to the responsibilities of emergency medicine.
Veterinarians Transitioning Into Emergency Medicine
Already practicing but ready for a new direction? Our program also welcomes experienced veterinarians who want to develop the clinical skills and confidence needed to transition into emergency care.
Important to Know
This program is not a rotating internship and does not replace the internship training required for admission to most veterinary residency programs.
Typically, the program covers a 12 month period, beginning with a 12-week intensive training period. After graduating from the initial ‘bootcamp’ you will have increasing clinical responsibility as you demonstrate your skills and readiness. Mentorship training happens at all 3 locations and covers all shift types (days, mid-shifts, and overnights) and emergency skills (triage, out-patient, STATS, emergency procedures, and hospitalized patients).
No. You’ll begin with supervised training alongside experienced emergency veterinarians and specialists. As your confidence and clinical judgment develop, you’ll gradually take on more responsibility based on your demonstrated competencies.
Yes. Hands-on learning is an important part of the program. Depending on your skills and individual training needs, you’ll have opportunities to participate in emergency procedures, receive targeted surgical mentorship, and develop your surgical decision-making skills.
Collaboration is an important part of emergency medicine at 1st Pet. You’ll have access to experienced emergency veterinarians, specialists, and medical leadership for guidance and case discussions. Knowing when to ask for help is a skill we encourage throughout your career.
Absolutely. Our program welcomes both new veterinary graduates and experienced veterinarians who want to transition into emergency medicine.
No. Our program is designed to prepare veterinarians for independent emergency practice. It does not replace a rotating internship, which is required for admission to most veterinary residency programs.
