About Veterinary Medicine at the University of Houston – Victoria
If you’re passionate about animals, wildlife conservation, and considering a career in veterinary medicine, this program is for you. During this week-long program, you’ll experience a taste of dorm life as you stay on campus at the University of Houston – Victoria and commute daily to the Texas Zoo. You can look forward to building a professional set of practical skills through a combination of lectures, hands-on lab and zoo work, veterinary shadowing, training modules, and internship-style practice. You and your fellow students will receive hands-on practice in comparative anatomy, animal welfare, zoo management, recording behavioral data, and much more.
At the end of the week, you’ll receive a certificate for up to 40 volunteer veterinary hours, recognizing your contribution to the Texas Zoo’s mission of connecting people with wildlife and advancing conservation through education, recreation, science, and action.
About Veterinary Medicine in Costa Rica
If you’re passionate about wildlife conservation, like to travel, and considering a career in veterinary medicine, this program is for you. During your program, you will have the chance to work at Rescue Center Costa Rica – a wildlife rescue center and hospital that cares for animals that have been victims of wildlife trafficking (or who otherwise need care) – or at Territorio de Zaguates aka the Land of the Strays dog sanctuary (as featured in the Netflix series Dogs) that cares for over 1,500 stray dogs outside San José.
At the end of your program, you’ll receive a certificate for up to 40 volunteer veterinary hours, recognizing your contribution to conservation through education, recreation, science, and action.
About Veterinary Medicine in Belize
If you’re passionate about wildlife conservation or farm animal care, like to travel, and considering a career in veterinary medicine, this is the program for you. During your time in Belize, you will have the chance to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts at Wildlife Health & Conservation, our program that takes place in partnership with the Belize Zoo, or out on the farm at Horses, Livestock & Farm Animals, where you'll learn and work alongside one of Belize’s leading veterinarians as they care for the animals on nearby local farms.
At the end of your program, you’ll receive a certificate for up to 40 volunteer veterinary hours, recognizing your contribution to conservation through education, recreation, science, and action.
Wildlife Health & Conservation Highlights
Experience Wildlife Conservation in Belize
Belize is one of the top destinations for wildlife conservationists. Over 50% rainforest, and home to the second largest barrier reef system in the world, Belize wildlife is some of the most biodiverse in the entire world. You’ll learn and be able to practice conservation techniques like tracking, bird banding, darting, and zoo conservation.
Hands-On Experience
At the Tropical Education Center, you’ll work alongside your teaching veterinarian in the lab, at the Belize Zoo, and out in the jungle. You can look forward to participating in labs designed to set up new camera traps and GPS tracking devices, handling practice with the Tapir, one of the largest native terrestrial mammals in the region, and learning the science behind animal enrichment in zoo conservation.
Horses, Livestock & Farm Animals Highlights
Experience Livestock and Farm Animal Care
You’ll be working with your teaching veterinarian on local farms everyday of your program. You can look forward to field classes on different livestock and farm animals, from baby piglets to massive cattle, as well as visiting and learning from local conservation projects like the Belize Raptor Center and the Green Iguana Project.
Explore Belize as a Local
When you’re not working on the farm, you can look forward to exploring different agricultural destinations and sites, including a Feed Mill and a tour of a local Agriculture Community, as well as participating in nightly events designed to immerse you in Belizean culture, from a chocolate-making experience to a dance and drumming lesson.