- Feel the energy as you navigate through your first day and begin to form connections with peers and let your anxiety for the week fade away.
Envision by WorldStrides
Veterinary Academy: Horses & Large Animals
Students work alongside professional veterinarians caring for rescued horses, cattle, and large animals while mastering specialized veterinary skills.
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Turn Your Love For Horses Into Vet Skills
Picture yourself standing beside a rescued horse, learning how to spot lameness while the vet explains what makes horses move the way they do. You're getting hands-on with suturing practice while talking through the real challenges of treating large animals out in the field. At the Veterinary Academy: Horses & Large Animals, your love of horses becomes the starting point for serious vet training.
This program at Gud Ark Animal Sanctuary in Arizona turns that passion into real skills alongside veterinarians who live and breathe large animal medicine. You'll learn everything from basic exams and handling to dealing with hoof problems, injuries, and colic cases.
After long days in the field, you'll unwind with other future vets, whether you're going over horse anatomy or just swapping stories about your favorite animals. These are the friendships that last.
Whether you're thinking equine practice, large animal work, or mixed practice, this program gives you the real-world foundation and connections you'll need for your veterinary career.
Grades:
9-12Duration:
7 DaysCollege Credit Hours:
1 College CreditsVeterinary Hours:
40 HoursFormat:
ResidentialStarting Price:
$3,799.00Locations, program content, and speakers are subject to change.
Envision by WorldStrides
For over 40 years, Envision—part of the WorldStrides family—has helped students from elementary through high school explore their interests and uncover what excites them most. Our immersive programs are built with educators and industry experts to support career exploration, leadership growth, and college prep. Along the way, students build real-world skills, boost their confidence, and start to see a clearer path toward their future.
Why This Program Changes Everything
Master Real Horse Cases
Learn horse-specific skills through real cases covering hoof problems, injuries, and colic while mastering proper handling and exam techniques with professional guidance.
Get Hands-On with Large Animals
Work hands-on with rescued horses, cattle, and other large animals, learning to check heart rates, feel lymph nodes, and assess reflexes alongside experienced vets.
Jump Into Clinical Skills
Get into the lab for microscope work, suturing practice, and injection training while building the specialized skills you need for large animal practice.
Animal Sanctuary Immersion
Learn complete animal care working with mammals, birds, and reptiles at a working sanctuary where you'll help with enrichment and understand animal rehabilitation.
Built for Your Veterinary School Success
Score Big Points for Vet School
Get serious experience with large animals, one of the six key categories vet schools look for, giving you unique credentials that show your commitment to this specialty.
Build Your Horse Expertise
Build real expertise in horse anatomy, handling, and medical procedures including hoof care and emergency skills essential for equine and mixed practice.
Practice Like a Real Vet
Practice the essentials like physical exams, injections, and suturing while learning proper restraint and safety for large animals in clinical and field settings.
Get Personal Mentorship in Arizona
With just 30 students max and a 10:1 ratio, you'll get personal instruction from large animal specialists while experiencing the unique challenges of desert animal care.
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:
Gud Ark Animal Sanctuary
Maricopa, Arizona, United States
$3,799.00Residential
Dates: June 28 - July 4
Duration: 7 Days
Featured Extras
Envision Scrub Set
Help your child look and feel like a real medical professional in this Envision-branded scrub set. Available in Adult XS through Adult XL for $65, including shipping. Available for purchase during enrollment.
WorldStrides Backpack
A durable, versatile backpack perfect for school, travel, or everyday use. Available for purchase during enrollment.
WorldStrides Sunglasses
Stylish sunglasses with UV protection. Available for purchase during enrollment.
Sample Itinerary
This sample itinerary is provided as an example of the overall quality and scope of a typical program experience. The specific itinerary, 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
- Tour the local animal sanctuary Gud Ark, learn about the rules and how to behave respectfully around the rescued and rehabilitated animals.
Anatomy and Directional Terminology
- Gain foundational knowledge of horse anatomy and key terms essential for future learning.
Equine Breeds and Professions
- Explore common equine breeds and the various professions associated with horses.
Horse Behavior & Safe Handling
- Dive into understanding equine behavior and learn the proper techniques for handling horses.
- Learn how to perform physical exams such as temperature, pulse and respiration as well as evaluating hydration status and gut sounds. These will be performed on horses and other animals.
Day 3
- Rotate husbandry activities such as grooming, basic care and monitoring health.
- Learn and practice clinical skills in a hands-on activity with your veterinarian.
Anatomy
- Gain foundational knowledge of horse anatomy and key terms essential for future learning.
Physical Exams and Handling
- Learn physical exams techniques and handling from your veterinarian, building skills in species-specific care.
Common Diseases of Cows
- Learn about the common diseases found in cows.
Anesthesia Lab
- Explore the critical role of anesthesia in equine surgery.
Wound Management & Bandaging Lab
- Learn essential bandaging techniques in a hands-on session with your veterinarian.
Medical Math & Injection Techniques
- Learn about the calculations crucial for patient care.
- Practice good needle handling in veterinary medicine as it is vital to prevent injuries to animals.
Day 4
- Rotate husbandry activities such as grooming, basic care and monitoring health.
- Practice bandaging techniques in a hands-on classroom session with your veterinarian.
Anatomy
- Gain foundational knowledge of horse anatomy and key terms essential for future learning.
Physical Exams and Handling
- Learn physical exams techniques and handling from your veterinarian, building skills in species-specific care.
Common Diseases of Sheep and Goats
- Learn about the common diseases found in sheep and goats.
Parasitology Lab
- Identify common parasites in a lab session with your vet, using microscopes to assess animal health.
Other Animal Handling
- Review the proper techniques for handling animals.
Lameness Exam Demonstration
- Observe an active lameness exam on a horse
Day 5
- Rotate husbandry activities such as grooming, basic care and monitoring health.
- Review how to perform physical exams such as temperature, pulse and respiration as well as evaluating hydration status and gut sounds.
Anatomy
- Gain foundational knowledge of horse anatomy and key terms essential for future learning.
Physical Exams and Handling
- Learn physical exams techniques and handling from your veterinarian, building skills in species-specific care.
Common Diseases of Sheep and Goats
- Learn about the common diseases found in pigs.
- Practice good needle handling as it is vital to prevent injuries to animals. Study blood smears to ensure animal safety and understand symptoms.
- Practice essential suturing techniques under the guidance of your veterinarian.
Day 6
- Rotate husbandry activities such as grooming, basic care and monitoring health.
- Practice clinical skills in a hands-on activity with your veterinarian.
- Learn about the key principles of caring for beef and dairy cattle.
- Discussion about Equine /Vet Med and Vet Q & A.
- Study the similarities and differences in the anatomy structure of reptiles, birds and mammals.
Day 7
- Students who have flights will be brought to the airport while all other students will wait to be picked up.
Health & Safety
Travel with confidence knowing you're never alone out there. When you choose Envision by WorldStrides, you've got an entire support network working around the clock to keep you safe.
Learn More
Safety Monitoring
Extensive Preparation
Local Support
Earn College Credit
Students attending select programs are eligible to receive college credit(s) through George Mason University. Credits are included in the cost of tuition and awarded upon successful completion of the program.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dress Code?
One will be provided online closer to the program, that said students are outside from approximately 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the summer, working with animals. Appropriate yet comfortable attire will be required. Closed toe shoes are a requirement.
Can I request to be roommates with someone else?
We assign roommates according to the age of each student unless we receive a specific request. Although we try to ensure that every student has a roommate, we cannot guarantee a roommate, and some students may be placed in a single room. Students can request one roommate if:
- Both students are enrolled in the same program/session
- Both students identify as the same gender
- Both students complete the online Roommate Request Form no later than 3 weeks before their session.
I have specific dietary restrictions. Where do I submit this information and who can I speak with to discuss my needs?
If you have specific dietary concerns can submit your needs before the program starts via the student portal. We have vegetarian options available for all meals at all locations. All other dietary needs (vegan, Kosher, Halal, gluten free, food allergies, fasting, etc.) should be communicated to our Office of Admissions, (866) 858-5323.
How is medicatation handled?
You should inform staff of any medication but then you will need to self-manage medication while on program. Families should be reminded to send more than enough medication for the duration of the program. Envision staff are not able to administer any kind of medication even over-the-counter medication, like Tylenol. Parents must complete a Student Medication Administration Form (included on the Student Portal) and submit to the program staff on arrival day. Special requests regarding medication, including requests for refrigeration, should be communicated to the Office of Admissions, (866) 858-5323.
I left an important item at home. What do I do?
Parents should contact the onsite contact phone number so coordination can occur. The group is offsite all day and back on campus in the evening. All items, unless urgent, will be delivered to you upon return to campus in the evening.
I am having trouble with my roommate or classmate. What support is available to help?
All of our staff members are equipped to help scholars with any issues or concerns that may arise during the program. If at any time you have a concern, you are encouraged to reach out to a staff member for assistance. An onsite staff member is available 24 hours.
What if I do not feel well?
All of our staff members are equipped to help you with any issues or concerns that may arise during the program. If at any time you have a concern, you are encouraged to reach out to a staff member for assistance. An onsite staff member is available 24 hours. Students will always have cell phone numbers for designated program staff.
I will be arriving late to the program; can I still attend?
Yes. If you will be arriving late to the program, please call the Program Office or Admissions team to notify us of your delayed arrival. Once you arrive, you will complete registration, and you will be escorted to meet the group. If your anticipated arrival is over two days after the program starts, please contact the Admissions team to discuss the available options.
What education level do your staff have?
Veterinarians are professionals in the industry. Senior Management Staff have a bachelor’s degree or above. Support staff are often collegiate students in veterinary school or in education or like backgrounds, most are also alumnae of prior veterinary medicine programs of our partner, Loop Abroad.
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