- Feel the energy as you navigate through registration lines, begin to form connections with peers, and let your anxiety for the week fade away.
Envision by WorldStrides
Future Vet: Zoo Medicine - Texas
Your middle schooler experiences zoo veterinary medicine in Victoria, Texas, working with native wildlife and rescue animals while learning essential animal care skills.
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Where Your Child's Love for Animals Meets Texas Wildlife Conservation
Does your middle schooler dream about helping animals? Picture them preparing specialized meals for American alligators, designing enrichment activities for two-toed sloths, or learning from zoo veterinarians as they examine native Texas wildlife that call the Texas Zoo home.
At Future Vet: Zoo Medicine in Texas, your child gains hands-on experience working alongside professionals at the Texas Zoo in Victoria. The Texas Zoo is dedicated to connecting young people with wildlife and teaching the importance of preserving species and habitats. Many of the animals are native to Texas, and most are rescue animals that could not be returned to the wild—giving your child a meaningful opportunity to contribute to their care while learning about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
This intensive program goes beyond simple observation. Your student participates in daily animal care routines, learns age-appropriate veterinary techniques, and gains practical knowledge that comes only from working with diverse species in a professional zoo setting. They'll research and present their own Keeper Talk to actual zoo visitors, building confidence while educating others about conservation topics they care about.
Whether your child is exploring animal science careers, passionate about Texas wildlife, or curious about zoo management and veterinary medicine, this program provides comprehensive exposure while building foundational knowledge appropriate for middle school students interested in future careers working with animals.
Grades:
6-8Duration:
7 DaysFormat:
ResidentialStarting Price:
$3,999.00What Makes This Texas Zoo Program Special for Young Students
Experience the Life of a Zookeeper
Your child does what zookeepers do every day—preparing specialized diets for over 70 species, maintaining enclosures to ensure animal safety and comfort, and designing enrichment activities that keep animals mentally stimulated and engaged.
The Zoo Becomes Your Child's Classroom
Students learn through hands-on field classes throughout the zoo, observing animal behaviors in native Texas species, discussing zoo ethics and rehabilitation practices, and mastering age-appropriate veterinary techniques for different animal groups.
Present to Real Zoo Visitors
After several days of learning, your middle schooler researches a conservation topic they care about and presents their own Keeper Talk to actual zoo visitors, building public speaking skills while inspiring others.
Learn What Zoo Veterinarians Actually Do
Your child gains real lab experience with techniques zoo veterinarians use daily, including supervised suturing practice, microscope work for parasitology, understanding blood analysis, conducting physical exams, and interpreting diagnostic imaging.
Why Parents Choose This Texas Program for Their Middle Schooler
Early Foundation for Veterinary Aspirations
Your child begins accumulating hands-on veterinary experience early, building a foundation that demonstrates long-term commitment and genuine interest when applying to competitive veterinary programs years later.
Age-Appropriate Clinical Skills Development
Students master essential techniques designed for their developmental level, including basic suturing, proper bandaging methods, understanding blood work procedures, and conducting supervised physical examinations under expert guidance.
Clear Understanding of Animal Care Career Paths
Your child explores different veterinary and animal care specializations—from wildlife rehabilitation to zoo medicine and conservation—helping them discover their interests and understand various career possibilities.
Expert Education in Small Groups
With a maximum of 40 students and a 10:1 student-to-veterinarian ratio, your child receives personalized attention, direct access to expert guidance, and a supportive learning environment tailored for middle school learners.
About Loop Abroad, our partner in Veterinary Medicine
Loop Abroad is the leading pre-veterinary travel program in the nation, with thousands of alumni at university and vet school campuses across the U.S. Their programs help students experience diverse veterinary careers firsthand. With an international team of expert wildlife and zoo veterinarians, Loop Abroad helps empower students to pursue the animal science careers of their dreams.
Dates, Locations, & Tuition
What does the price include?
What does the price include?
Tuition includes room & board, site visits & transportation during the program, lectures, simulations, curriculum & materials, college credit, and faculty & staff.
Regions:
Texas Zoo
Victoria, Texas, United States
$3,999.00Residential
Dates: July 5-11
Duration: 7 Days
Featured Extras
Virtual Veterinary Academy Courses
The Virtual Veterinary Academy provides online courses taught by expert veterinarians, allowing students to explore veterinary careers through hands-on virtual learning and self-paced instruction from home.
Tuition & Travel Protection
Optional protection plan providing comprehensive coverage including trip cancellation, medical evacuation, baggage protection, and accident insurance with assistance services.
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Sample Course Schedule
This sample schedule is provided as an example of the overall quality and scope of a typical program experience and is not intended to represent a specific schedule. The specific schedule, speakers, site visits and details may vary.
Day 1
- Connect with your WorldStrides team and Loop Abroad veterinarians as you kick off the week with welcome activities and orientation.
Day 2
- Discover the fascinating world of exotic wildlife mammals in your first lecture led by your veterinarian.
- Observe the unique behaviors of exotic and native species during your visit to Texas Zoo where you'll gain insight into animal communication, social interactions, and habitat-driven routines.
Food Preparation
Prepare balanced and species-specific meals for zoo animals, learning how nutrition supports health, behavior, and enrichment.
Enclosure Maintenance and Management
- Maintain animal enclosures by cleaning, inspecting, and organizing habitats to ensure safety, hygiene, and comfort for each species.
Animal Enrichment - Create engaging enrichment tools and activities that stimulate natural behaviors, promote mental well-being, and enhance the daily lives of zoo animals.
- Practice essential suturing techniques under the guidance of your veterinarian, gaining hands-on experience in wound closure and surgical skills used in clinical animal care.
Day 3
Practice Physical Exams
- Perform hands-on physical examinations to assess animal health, learning key techniques for evaluating vital signs, body condition, and overall wellness.
Positive Reinforcement Training - Apply positive reinforcement methods to encourage desired behaviors, build trust and communication between animals and caregivers through reward-based training.
Food Preparation
- Prepare balanced and species-specific meals for zoo animals, learning how nutrition supports health, behavior, and enrichment.
Enclosure Maintenance and Management - Maintain animal enclosures by cleaning, inspecting, and organizing habitats to ensure safety, hygiene, and comfort for each species.
Animal Enrichment - Create engaging enrichment tools and activities that stimulate natural behaviors, promote mental well-being, and enhance the daily lives of zoo animals.
- Explore the ethical responsibilities of zoos, the principles of animal welfare, and the vital role zoos play in global conservation efforts during an engaging lecture led by your veterinarian.
- Learn essential bandaging techniques in a hands-on classroom session with your veterinarian, focusing on proper wound care, support, and stabilization methods used in clinical practice.
Day 4
- Discover the fundamentals of reptile care in an introductory session with your veterinarian, covering handling techniques, habitat setup, nutrition, and species-specific health considerations.
- Practice veterinary diagnostics and reptile physical exams with your veterinarian, building skills in species-specific care.
- Identify common parasites in a lab session with your vet, using microscopes to assess animal health.
Food Preparation
- Prepare balanced and species-specific meals for zoo animals, learning how nutrition supports health, behavior, and enrichment.
Enclosure Maintenance and Management - Maintain animal enclosures by cleaning, inspecting, and organizing habitats to ensure safety, hygiene, and comfort for each species.
Animal Enrichment - Create engaging enrichment tools and activities that stimulate natural behaviors, promote mental well-being, and enhance the daily lives of zoo animals.
- Design a creative enrichment project tailored to your assigned zoo animal, apply behavioral insights and presenting your plan to enhance welfare and stimulate natural behaviors.
Day 5
- Explore avian care basics through small group work focused on handling, nutrition, and health practices.
- Analyze radiographs with your vet to identify anatomy and spot clinical abnormalities.
- Perform rabbit physical exams with your veterinarian, focusing on gentle handling, health assessment, and species-specific care techniques.
- Prepare for your keeper talk by researching your assigned animal, organizing key facts, and developing a clear, engaging presentation to share with zoo visitors.
Day 6
- Present your keeper talk to zoo visitors, sharing engaging facts and stories about your assigned animal to educate and inspire public interest in wildlife care and conservation.
- Share insights into veterinary careers as your vet discusses job paths in animal medicine, the differences between capture-and-release and rehabilitation, and their role in wildlife care and conservation.
Enclosure Design Workshop
- Collaborate in small groups to design enriching animal enclosures, applying knowledge of species needs, behavior, and welfare.
Blood Cytology Lab - Investigate blood samples in small groups with your veterinarian, learning to identify cell types and assessing animal health.
Day 7
- Students who have flights will be brought to the airport while all other students will wait to be picked up.
Moments That Matter
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Health & Safety
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Safety Monitoring
Extensive Preparation
Local Support
What Students and Parents Are Saying
Your Questions Answered
How many veterinary hours will I earn, and how do I document them?
Students can earn up to 40 veterinary hours during the program, which is substantial for vet school applications. We provide official documentation at the end of the program that details your activities and hours, which can be submitted directly to VMCAS or individual veterinary schools.
What should I pack for the program?
We provide a comprehensive packing list upon enrollment, but key items include comfortable closed-toe shoes, clothes you don't mind getting dirty, notebook and pen, refillable water bottle, and any personal medications. All specialized equipment and lab materials are provided.
Is this program suitable for students who aren't sure about veterinary medicine?
Absolutely! This program is perfect for students exploring their options. You'll get authentic exposure to veterinary work, which will help you make an informed decision about whether this career path is right for you. Many students discover new interests or confirm their passion through this experience.
What safety measures are in place for working with animals?
Safety is our top priority. All animal interactions are supervised by experienced professionals, we maintain a 10:1 student-to-instructor ratio, students receive safety training before any animal contact, and we follow strict protocols developed by zoo veterinarians and animal care specialists. Emergency medical care is always available on-site.
What level of animal experience do I need to participate?
No prior animal experience is required! Our program is designed for students at all levels, from complete beginners to those with some volunteer experience. Our expert instructors will meet you where you are and help you build skills progressively throughout the week.
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