Patients treated at the college's Veterinary Teaching Hospital provide students with a sampling of the daily cases that a private veterinary practice would experience. The additional exposure to less routine patients, such as those referred by private practitioners, expands the students' educational experiences. Clinical faculty spend approximately half of their 12- month academic appointment assisting senior students in learning the clinical aspects of veterinary medicine. The other half of their time is devoted to classroom teaching and to conducting research. These clinics are staffed by board-certified specialists, residents, interns, and supported by licensed veterinary technicians.
Clinical research relates to most health problems experienced by animals.
The UT College of Veterinary Medicine's small animal clinic is managed through the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. The department is involved in clinical research that includes cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal diseases, reproductive health, dermatology, urinary system disorders, immunity diseases, orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, neurologic and behavioral problems, ophthalmologic diesases and cancer diagnoses and therapies. Nearly 12,000 cats and dogs are treated at the small animal clinic each year. The large animal clinic provides comprehensive medical and surgical service for animals through its clinic and ambulatory services and is administered through the Department of Large Animal Clincal Sciences. Nearly 1,800 animals were treated in the large animal clinic last year, while over 13,000 were treated through the ambulatory program.