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Residency In Large Animal Surgery

Thank you for your interest in our large animal surgery residency program. We are proud of our program and the ultimate professional success of our current and former residents. We feel our commitment to excellence in clinical service, teaching, and research has enabled us to develop one of the top residency programs available. We welcome your interest in our program. Below is a list of some of the features of our program that we would like to bring to your attention. It is by no means exhaustive so we encourage you to contact us for further information if you would like more information.

  • Three-year program that allows adequate time to train and prepare for certification by the American College of Veterinary Surgery (ACVS), including time to complete rotations in internal  medicine, anesthesia, radiology and pathology, and adequate time to pursue to scholarly activities (research) to fulfill requirements for ACVS certification
  • Opportunity to train under 5 ACVS board certified large animal surgeons (Dr. Carolyn Arnold, Dr. Jeffery Watkins, Dr Cliff Honnas, Dr. Neil Hooper, Dr. Peter Rakestraw, Dr. Joanne Hardy, Dr. Tamara Swor)
  • Opportunity to take 3 blocks during the three years for rotations in areas of specific interest
  • Excellent rate of certification by ACVS for our residents with high first time pass rate for board examination
  • A large, diverse large animal surgery caseload (which is equine oriented), with our last several residents fulfilling case requirements (number and type) at the end of their second year
  • Opportunity to participate in an active food animal surgery section (primarily beef cattle and meat goats) with an ACVS diplomate specializing in food animal surgery (Dr. Neil Hooper)
  • Exceptional facilities and technical staff in the teaching hospital (put a link in here to the webpage with pictures of the hospital)
  • Opportunity to obtain experience with large animal ultrasonography under auspices of 2 ACVIM diplomates with ultrasound expertise
  • Opportunity to take additional rotations in lameness with an ACVS diplomate (Dr. Robin Dabareiner) and ACVIM diplomate (Dr. Kent Carter) who specialize in lameness
  • 24 hour ICU facility with outstanding technical assistance
  • Share responsibility for receiving and treating equine and food animal emergencies
  • Funding opportunities for travel and other academic uses (e.g., photocopying and slide making)
  • Excellent research opportunities for clinical research projects (with emphasis in musculoskeletal problems and gastroenterology)
  • Opportunities for graduate study concurrent with residency training (link to CVM Graduate Studies Homepage and Office to Graduate Studies here?)
  • A friendly, collegial work environment
  • Applicant must be a graduate of an AVMA accredited program or passed the ECFVG examination in order to be eligible for licensure by the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical examiners

And more! If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Peter Rakestraw (979-845-3541), Residency Program Supervisor

Please contact our current and former residents for further information:

Dr. Canaan Whitfield-Cargile cwhitfield@cvm.tamu.edu

Dr. Will Jordan wjordan@cvm.tamu.edu

Dr. A. Berkley Chesen achesen@cvm.tamu.edu

Please see our faculty homepage to learn more about our faculty. For further information please see our Intern/Resident Manual.