Roo Uni is the first-ever veterinary externship platform, connecting Vet Students with over 800 animal hospitals across 47 states. Built by veterinary professionals familiar with the rigors of veterinary school, it provides a convenient way for students to get hands-on experience early in their careers.
Roo is the industry-leading veterinary relief management platform connecting Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Assistants with animal hospitals for relief work and hiring opportunities. Roo empowers the largest network of veterinary professionals to earn more on their schedule while providing relief coverage to help hospitals care for pets while their teams take time off.
What is relief work?
Beyond our platform, Roo aims to empower a community of smart, trustworthy, agile, and resilient veterinary professionals who value freedom, flexibility, and work-life balance.
Roo Uni is a first-ever and only veterinary externship matching platform, giving Vet Students agency to choose their ideal hands-on learning opportunity from over 800 options.
We know finding veterinary clinics with externships can be a tough and grueling process with few resources available for students. That's why the veterinary professionals who built Roo were inspired to leverage our vast network of hospitals to create a new and exciting resource for Vet Students.
We've assembled the largest ever searchable database of exceptional veterinary clinics across the country who wish to offer mentorship experiences to the next generation of veterinarians. With Roo Uni, externship placement is made easy with more options than ever before, and all of it is completely free to both hospitals and students.
Think of it like an internship but shorter and more flexible! As a Roo Uni extern, you’ll shadow doctors, gain hands-on experience, and get a real feel for working in an animal hospital. As an added bonus, you’ll build your professional network and add real experience to your resume, setting you u for success when it’s time to look for your first job.
The average externship last 2 to 6 weeks, but the exact length, terms, and any potential pay are up to you and the hospital to decide. It’s your externship, make it work for you!
This is an ideal way to explore different specialties or practice anywhere in the country with no commitments to find what you’re most passionate about.
We encourage all our hospitals to offer ACTIVE, hands-on learning experiences. However, the types of procedures you’re able to perform is ultimately up to you and the hospital hosting the externship. Since every hospital is different, we highly recommend chatting with your host hospital ahead of time to set clear expectations.
Some clinics may focus on observations, blood draws, and technical skills, while others might offer opportunities to assist in surgical procedures, patient management, and even perform advanced clinical skills.
Doctors are excited to teach active students who ask questions and get involved. Be engaged and help wherever you can with a positive, can-do attitude. This can often lead to being given more opportunities.
No matter where you extern, we encourage all our hospitals to make your experience as hands-on as possible because the best way to learn is by doing!
Signing up is as easy as clicking this link and following the steps to create your own profile. From there, you'll be able to browse all the externships we have available at veterinary clinics across the country.
To request a Roo Uni Externship, you must be a first through fourth year Veterinarian Student currently enrolled at an AVMA accredited veterinary school. A current resume is also required to share with our hospital partners.
Recent graduates who are not yet licensed and otherwise unable to practice are also welcome to apply for Roo Uni Externships.
Not yet! Right now, Roo Uni externships are only available to first through fourth year DVM Students at AVMA accredited universities or recent graduates who are not yet licensed and would otherwise be unable to practice.
However, we’re always looking for ways to expand opportunities in the future, stay tuned!
We meet with every hospital to ensure that Roo Uni externships take place in great clinics that are committed to mentorship. We also encourage our partner hospitals to offer as much hands-on training as possible because we know the best way to learn is by doing!
If you’re looking for a truly exceptional experience, we recommend requesting one of our featured externships. These opportunities come highly recommended by previous Roo Uni Students and our hospital partners.
Veterinary externships provide a unique opportunity to try out various specialties to find your passion. To help you get the most out of Roo Uni, we’ve worked hard to ensure we’re always offering a wide variety of specialties and hospitals with opportunities to explore everything vet med has to offer!
We currently offer externships where you can get hands on skills practicing in these settings:
Whether you’re diving deeper into an area you love or testing the waters with something new, these short externships are the perfect chance to step outside your comfort zone and explore.
Your future in vet med is wide open, go for it!
Roo currently offers externships at clinics in 47 states, and we're constantly expanding! Better yet, you don’t need a state license to practice as a student, so you can request externships anywhere you’d like!
This is your opportunity to learn new skills and broaden your horizons. If you’re looking for something convenient, check for externships near your school, your home, or wherever you’ll be spending time during your breaks.
We also recommend using this experience to travel to new cities and new practices that excite you. These early years when you're not bound to any state by a license may be your best opportunity to travel and experience veterinary medicine across the country. Or just see more of the US, have fun and enjoy this moment!
Some Roo Uni externships are paid and some are not, we’ll always let you know the hospital’s expectations on the externship listing.
What you get paid is entirely between you and the hospital, and Roo does not take a percentage or collect any fees. Once you apply for an externship, the hospital will reach out to negotiate any pay or stipends.
Additionally, some hospitals may offer a stipend to help pay for travel or accommodations. You’ll see this in the externship posting as well and can always negotiate this with hospitals directly once you’ve applied.
You can always reach out to us with any questions at RooUni@roo.vet.
Some hospitals may offer a stipend to help pay for travel or accommodations. You’ll see this in the externship posting as well and can always negotiate this with hospitals directly once you’ve applied.
It’s up to you! You’ll agree on the timing and duration of your externship with the hospital after you apply. Hospitals can recommend a specific duration, but ultimately, it will have to fit your schedule.
Typically, veterinary externships usually run one to two weeks, but if you're soaking up the experience (or just can't resist more puppy snuggles), they can last up to six weeks if that timing works for the hospital as well.
Any time you want! Externships are available year-round, and we’re always adding new opportunities to the mix! With Roo Uni you can request externships at any time, and you’ll coordinate scheduling with the host hospital directly.
Most students prefer to take on externships during winter or summer breaks, which can make December and the summer months popular times for externships. Some of our premier externships in popular travel destinations or prestigious hospitals can get quite competitive as well, so we recommend applying early and checking back frequently for new opportunities.
If you’re looking for one of these top opportunities, you may want to pounce early to give yourself the best chances of getting accepted by the hospital first.
We strongly encourage all students to carry their own liability insurance. Luckily, the AVMA has a complimentary, easy-to-access insurance policy for students.
We also recommend consulting with your university or faculty to find out what policies are available through your school.
Absolutely! Roo was created to empower Vets throughout their entire career journey with more flexibility, autonomy, and work-life balance. The connections you make during your Roo Uni externship will help jump-start your job search, but Roo can do way more!
Roo Uni students can easily create a free Roo Veterinarian account to start finding high-paying, flexible relief shifts in their area.
Relief work can be difficult for new Vets as it involves quickly adapting to different clinic workflows and cultures, so we highly recommend new grads have at least six months of experience before venturing into the world of relief. Still, signing up is free and will give you notifications about upcoming free CE events in your area and access to other helpful resources.
When you’re ready to hop in, we make it super easy to take on your first relief shift with confidence. You’ll choose the shifts you want and create your own flexible schedule.
Working as a relief veterinarian is a great way to begin your veterinary career as it allows you to try out a wide variety of clinics and specialties to see what you enjoy best.
Our unique relief-to-hire process is also a great way to test drive a variety of hospitals to find one that's an ideal culture-fit.
To register as a veterinarian click here or email hello@roo.vet to ask about converting your student account to a vet account.
