Student Spotlight: Hands-On Learning at the Martinez Clinic
At International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), clinics succeed in large part thanks to students who show up, ready to learn and serve.
This month, we're spotlighting Emeline McMann-Chapman, a DVM candidate in the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2029. She has served as a student coordinator at IVO’s Martinez Clinic since November 2025.
More Than a Volunteer
As a coordinator, Emeline does far more than show up on clinic day. She shares clinic opportunities with fellow students at UC Davis, organizes which stations volunteers will work, and helps solve the everyday logistics that make participation possible, including connecting students who don't have transportation with rides, sometimes driving them herself. On clinic days, she helps ensure patient intake runs smoothly and every student gets the hands-on learning experience they signed up for, all while continuing to learn alongside them.
It's not always easy. Clinic mornings move fast, and a busy setup combined with late arrivals or an under-briefed team can throw off the schedule. A shortage of technicians on a given day adds another layer of challenge. But as Emeline describes it, the team consistently finds its footing before a clinic begins, a testament to the culture of commitment and adaptability.
A Different Kind of Learning Environment
What’s stood out most to Emeline has not been the challenges — it’s been the hands-on instruction.
Having attended other clinics designed for students to learn, she often felt like little more than a bystander. Her experience at IVO has been different.
“At IVO, everyone takes the time to ensure that I understand and that I can execute the clinical skills I am there to learn,” said Emeline.
That hands-on investment has paid off. At the Martinez Clinic, Emeline placed her first catheters and completed her first successful intubation, milestones that mark important steps in a veterinary student’s clinical development. She's also found unexpected joy in client communication, describing the privilege of talking with pet owners.
“It's great to be able to see how much people care for their animals and all they are willing to do for them,” said Emeline.
Building Confidence for a Career in Veterinary Medicine
Reflecting on her time with IVO, Emeline points to concrete, lasting gains: greater comfort with catheter placement and intubation and a stronger working knowledge of anesthesia equipment and monitoring.
“I’m grateful for the chance to learn things in the real world, as they stick with me more than what I learn in the lecture hall,” said Emeline.
Her advice to fellow veterinary students is simple and direct: don't wait. She recommends the experience without hesitation, noting that veterinary school can only offer so many opportunities, and that clinics like IVO's fill that gap, building confidence, offering mentorship from experienced technicians and doctors, and immersing students in the realities of community medicine.
Why Student Volunteers Matter
“IVO’s role goes beyond treating animals. Our goal is to build sustainable systems of care, which include training local students,” said IVO Founder and CEO Eric Eisenman.
Students like Emeline play a vital role in IVO’s clinics — recruiting classmates, solving logistics, and modeling the kind of engaged learning we hope every student experiences. Emeline’s story is a reminder that IVO’s clinics don't just serve animals and communities; they're shaping the next generation of veterinarians, one catheter, one intubation, and one client conversation at a time.
Interested in volunteering with IVO? Reach out to learn more about opportunities near you.
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Emeline McMann-Chapman, a DVM candidate in the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2029.
Veterinary students participating in the Martinez Clinic in July 2026.
(Photo courtesy of Mark Rogers)
