One of the most game-changing animal organizations in Dallas-Fort Worth has a new program offering hands-on experience to veterinary students.

The program is from The Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP), a leading nonprofit organization that provides low-cost spay/neuter, vaccine, and wellness services to underserved communities across North Texas.

Called The Veterinary Student Surgical Externship Program, it's a five-day program that's open to fourth-year veterinary students, who will work alongside experienced veterinary surgeons in TCAP's state-of-the-art surgical training facility, where they can gain practical experience in spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, basic wellness care, and more.

The program is designed to enhance participants' technical skills, increase their confidence in the operating room, and deepen their understanding of sterilization surgical techniques.

They'll also get access to educational resources, engage in lectures and discussions surrounding animal welfare topics, participate in case discussions, and learn from elite instructors specializing in HQHV community animal care.

Beyond giving the next generation of veterinary doctors experience, the goal is also to inspire them to take an interest in shelter medicine.

TCAP has eight North Texas locations: Allen, Arlington, Burleson, Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, Hurst, and Weatherford.

They also have more than 40 offsite travel locations, where they partner with local cities and shelters who allow TCAP to come in and perform low-cost sterilizations at their facility. Pet owners drop off their pets at these locations just as they would at a vet or TCAP clinic. The sterilization is performed on-site, and pets go home the same afternoon.

These efforts have helped TCAP make a major contribution to reducing the pet overpopulation issue plaguing Texas.

TCAP director of operations Katelyn McGuire says in a statement that the externship program embodies their mission to end pet overpopulation and improve community animal welfare.

"By providing aspiring veterinarians with an immersive, hands-on surgical experience, we empower them to positively impact animal health and welfare in our community," McGuire says.

Information about the Veterinary Student Surgical Externship Program, including application details and requirements, is on the TCAP website at texasforthem.org/veterinary-externship/.