Dr. James Milton founded our company, VSB, which was then called Veterinary Surgery of Birmingham, based on the steadfast desire to bring the best surgical care possible to the pets of Birmingham.
In 2003, less than ten years of quality service later, we were doing so well that it was time to expand, and we relocated to a bigger facility. Just a year later, in 2004, Dr. Milton hired Dr. Antonio “Tony” Ballagas, and business continued to grow and expand for another sixteen years.
At that point, in 2019, thanks to continued growth, the need for more space, and the vision that Dr. Ballagas had for a state-of-the-art multi-specialty veterinary hospital, the clinic relocated to 146 Resource Center Parkway and expanded into a multi-specialty referral hospital, changing the name to Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham. An externship experience at Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham gives students real-life clinical experience and the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills while working alongside experienced clinicians and board-certified specialists. Hands-on skills that may be practiced or observed include TPR’s, examinations, anesthesia, surgical procedures, catheterization, ultrasound, and other diagnostic procedures as they are available.
Most externship experiences range from two to eight weeks depending on student and hospital schedules.
All veterinary students (regardless of class year) are encouraged to participate in an Ethos externship, though preference may be given to students in their final year(s) of veterinary school.
