Students in the four-year professional program leading to the DVM begin their veterinary training with a rigorous basic science curriculum. They are also introduced to the principles, opportunities and ethical issues important to veterinary medicine. Their education continues in the second year with instruction in core areas such as infectious agents, toxicology, pharmacology, radiology and clinical pathology. They also begin to learn principles of medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology. The third year of training gives students a thorough understanding of medicine and surgery of all species, large, small, and exotic. Students also begin to rotate through the clinical areas of the College. The final year of the program consists of required and elective rotations that directly involve students in patient care and client communications.
Students at the College of Veterinary Medicine are part of a supportive group of faculty, staff, administrators, and other students who take a personal interest in their success. The small class size and high faculty to student ratio also provide valuable opportunities for closely-supervised hands-on experience with multiple animal species.
Our facilities and equipment are state-of-the-art and constantly improving. A new imaging wing that has a sophisticated 64-slice CT scanner has recently been installed. The new small animal rehabilitation and physiotherapy facilities and program address chronic and debilitating conditions for cats and dogs and helps them recover after surgery. Recently remodeled and improved large animal facilities include new equine isolation stalls and a covered arena for lameness examinations. In addition to the new and well-equipped hospital facilities, our multimedia classrooms, laboratories and library are designed for comfort, accessibility and easy access to information.
Students also have access to other opportunities such as the large number of shelter dogs and cats at the Oregon Humane Society in Portland where students spend at least two weeks gaining excellent hands-on surgery experience while providing medial and surgical care for humane society animals. Those with an interest in aquatic/marine animals can participate in elective or preceptorship experience at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, which is 50 miles away in Newport, Oregon. Those that are interested in a career in food animal practice can add several food animal-oriented electives to the required 4 weeks of rural veterinary practice which includes visits to farms, dairies, and ranches for primary care and management.
The program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education.
