After two weeks, depending on the prior behavioral experience of the student, he or she will take primary responsibility for the case, that is take the history, advise the owner in consultation with Dr. Houpt, and write letters to the owner and to the referring veterinarian. In addition to these clinical duties, the extern is expected to do a retrospective study utilizing the records of the Behavior Clinic, on a subject of their own choosing.
Examples are aggression in horses, separation anxiety in dogs, and inappropriate defecation in cats.
A paper suitable for publication should be produced by the conclusion of the externship. The student will be guided to the relevant literature.