Meet Jana Bruce-Wattier, recent veterinary student with Sioux Nation Ag Center. Jana is in her 4th year in the veterinary program at the University of Minnesota. She plans to return to South Dakota to provide veterinary medicine to large and small animals.

Q – What were your goals for the externship?
A—My goal for this externship was to practice bovine palpation and to take the chance to visit mixed animal practices in a variety of locations.

Q – What was your favorite experience during the externship with Sioux Nation Ag Center?
A—Everyone was very welcoming, and it was great to see many different practices and meet all of the staff and doctors who worked at each location. I particularly enjoyed my time in Kimball, SD, with Dr. Marissa. I learned more about sale barn work, practiced palpation and processed calves, and even saw her practice acupuncture on a horse, cow, and cat.

Q – What did you learn from the veterinarians and other Sioux Nation Ag Center staff?
A—I learned more about what it is like to serve clients in rural locations, and I honed many skills that will help me be successful in the future. It was also great to see how veterinarians interacted with their communities and clients.

Q – In what ways do you intend to apply your externship
experience to your future roles?
A—The ample opportunities to practice bovine palpation and ultrasound in dairy environments and in the sales barn have already made me feel much more confident in my skills before graduation.

Q – What are your final reflections on your time with the company?
A—I enjoyed my time visiting with Sioux Nation, and was very thankful everyone was so flexible and welcoming to accommodate my learning goals.

At Sioux Nation Ag Center, we believe in using our resources to provide comprehensive externships for students. Our veterinary team welcomes the chance to support the livestock industry by helping to prepare future veterinarians for their future. The objectives of these externships include:
• Gain an understanding of the scope of veterinary work in the field or in a clinic setting.
• Become familiar with the core competencies and veterinarian-specific competencies necessary for a veterinarian position.
• Understand the importance of customer service skills in working with producers.