At TotalBond Veterinary Hospital, we believe that great veterinary care doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it’s built through mentorship, collaboration, and a genuine investment in the future of our profession. That’s why we’re proud to serve as a clinical partner site for Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM), welcoming veterinary students into our hospitals through our clinical partnership and externship program.
Throughout the year, our TotalBond locations open their doors to fourth-year veterinary students completing hands-on rotations, as well as externs from LMU and other veterinary schools who join us for shorter, focused learning experiences. Whether a student is with us for a full clinical rotation or a several-week externship, our goal is the same: to give them real-world exposure to patient care, client communication, and collaborative medicine alongside our experienced team of doctors, technicians, and support staff.
A Teaching Partnership Built on Trust
Being selected as an official Clinical Site Partner for LMU-CVM is an honor we don’t take lightly. Veterinary schools carefully vet the practices they choose to work with, looking for hospitals that can offer students a well-rounded caseload, strong mentorship, and a culture that supports learning. As one of a select number of practices chosen for this role, TotalBond stands alongside a small group of hospitals trusted to help shape the next generation of veterinarians.
This partnership means that on any given day, our clients may be greeted by a friendly student extern, see a rotating clinical student assisting during an exam, or have their pet’s case reviewed collaboratively by both a seasoned veterinarian and a student learning the ropes. It’s a dynamic, energizing environment, and one that ultimately makes our hospitals stronger.
Dr. Epstein, one of our veterinarians who works closely with LMU students, shared why this partnership matters so much to our team:
“We are very proud to be a teaching site for Lincoln Memorial COVM and other veterinary schools. These motivated students motivate us in return, and together we can ensure the highest level of veterinary medicine and client service continues long into the future.”
That sentiment captures exactly why we do this. Teaching isn’t a one-way street, it pushes our own doctors to stay sharp, revisit the fundamentals, and articulate the “why” behind every clinical decision. In turn, that benefits every patient who walks through our doors.
How Hosting Veterinary Students Benefits Everyone
It’s a fair question for clients to ask: what does it mean for my pet’s care when a student is involved? The answer, in short, is that it means even more attention, more perspectives, and more thorough care.
For future veterinarians, externships and clinical rotations are where classroom learning becomes real. Students step out from behind textbooks and into exam rooms, surgical suites, and treatment areas, where they practice hands-on skills like diagnostics, case workups, and client communication under the guidance of licensed veterinarians. They learn not just the “how” of veterinary medicine, but the “why, how to think through a case, weigh treatment options, and communicate compassionately with pet owners during difficult moments. This kind of mentorship is something no lecture hall can replicate, and it plays a critical role in shaping confident, capable veterinarians who are ready to serve their own communities after graduation.
For our clients and their pets, having students in our hospitals often means extra sets of hands and extra sets of eyes on every case. Students bring energy, curiosity, and fresh perspective, frequently reviewing cases in detail alongside our veterinarians, which can surface additional insights or reinforce a thorough diagnostic process. Clients also benefit from a practice culture that prioritizes continuing education for our entire team. When our doctors are actively teaching and mentoring, they’re also staying current on best practices, new research, and evolving standards of care.
Ultimately, this partnership reflects something bigger than any single appointment: it’s part of how TotalBond invests in the long-term future of veterinary medicine in our communities.
TotalBond’s Commitment to Education and Mentorship
Advancing veterinary medicine has always been part of TotalBond’s mission, and our relationship with LMU-CVM is one of the clearest expressions of that commitment. By opening our clinics to students, we’re helping address a broader need in our profession: training enough skilled, well-prepared veterinarians to meet the growing demand for pet care across the country.
We also see this as a two-way relationship. Our veterinarians and staff get the opportunity to mentor, teach, and pass along the clinical wisdom they’ve built over years of practice, while students bring fresh questions and new energy that keep our teams engaged and continuously learning. It’s a partnership that strengthens both sides, and one we plan to continue growing for years to come.
Meet Some of Our Current Students
We’re proud to introduce a few of the veterinary students who have spent time learning alongside our team recently. Here’s what they had to say about their experience with TotalBond.
Ashley Stark, a current LMU student, shared:
“My experience as an extern with TotalBond has been nothing less than excellent. From day 1, we were welcomed with open arms and treated as family. The doctors are great at including us in working up cases in the clinic, and Dr. Epstein goes above and beyond to test and expand our knowledge about relevant topics at our bi-weekly mentoring sessions.”
Kerry Burtschi, another LMU student completing a clinical rotation with us, said:
“The mentorship, clinical reasoning, and supportive culture at TotalBond have had a lasting impact on my growth as a future veterinarian. I am incredibly grateful to have learned from a team that invested so genuinely in my development. As a first-rotation student, they entrusted me with ownership of cases and surgeries, allowing me to move beyond the role of an observing student and into that of the clinician.”
Natalie Misiano, who traveled all the way from Glasgow to complete her externship with our TotalBond Paw Creek team, shared a similar reflection on her time with us:
“I am especially grateful to have been connected with Dr. Epstein and Dr. Spangler at TotalBond. This externship was an amazing way for me to build my confidence, knowledge, and clinical skill set while also giving me opportunities to review cases in an educational setting. Each veterinarian offered me support, knowledge, and allowed me to complete new skills I had not yet done before! Every staff member, from the technicians to the client service representatives, greeted me with kindness each day and made my experience that much better! I was also able to meet other vet students and build connections throughout my time in Charlotte. Overall, this was a great experience, and I would absolutely recommend it to other students.”
Stories like these are exactly why this partnership matters to us. Each student who comes through our doors leaves with new skills and confidence, and our team leaves with the satisfaction of knowing they helped shape someone’s veterinary career.
Welcome to Our Incoming Veterinary Students
To the newest group of LMU-CVM students and other veterinary students joining our hospitals through our externship and clinical education programs, welcome to TotalBond Veterinary Hospital!
We are excited to be part of your professional journey and look forward to helping you expand your knowledge, strengthen your clinical skills, and gain meaningful hands-on experience in a supportive learning environment. Our doctors and team members are committed to mentoring you every step of the way while working together to provide outstanding care for every pet we serve.
Shaping the Future of Veterinary Medicine Together
At TotalBond Veterinary Hospital, our commitment to veterinary education extends far beyond the classroom. By partnering with Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine and other veterinary schools, we’re helping prepare future veterinarians through mentorship, distributive clinical education, and real-world clinical experience.
Whether you’re a pet owner trusting us with your companion’s care or a veterinary student searching for an externship that offers meaningful mentorship and hands-on learning, you’ll find a team dedicated to excellence, collaboration, and continuous growth. Together, we’re building a stronger future for veterinary medicine, one student, one patient, and one partnership at a time.
