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Texas Zoo

Small Group Training

Work alongside your teaching veterinarian in the lab, practicing everything from parasitology diagnostics to radiograph interpretation, and shadow a veterinarian as they perform animal exams and diagnose or treat various medical conditions. With a maximum student-to-vet ratio of 10:1, you’ll have countless opportunities to ask questions.

Enjoy labs and field classes covering large animal physical exams, veterinary suture, avian anatomy and physiology, reptile handling and restraint, and more.

Spend five of the seven days at this zoo, which is home to over 80 species of animals, many of whom are rescue animals that cannot be returned to the wild.

Receive up to 40 volunteer veterinary hours, which not only acknowledge your experience at the program but can be applied toward the vet hours you’ll need to get into veterinary school.

Rescue Center Costa Rica

Experience the Costa Rican Rainforest

Care for sloths, kinkajous, monkeys, parrots and other native Costa Rican animals as you and your fellow participants live and work in the rainforest.

At Rescue Center Costa Rica, you’ll work alongside your teaching veterinarian in the lab, performing everything from blood pathology to necropsies, and complete rotations in the on-site veterinary hospital. With a maximum student-to-veterinary ratio of 10:1, you will have countless opportunities to have all of your questions answered.

Spend a day exploring one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. With over 100 different species of mammals native to the park, the diversity of wildlife you will discover here is unparalleled.

Spend an additional four days in the beautiful capital of Costa Rica with the optional San Jose City Adventure extension program. Enjoy Costa Rican culture firsthand through food, music, art, and history.

Dog Sanctuary in Costa Rica

Experience the Beauty of Costa Rica

When you’re done helping care for over 1,500 rescue dogs during the day, you can look forward to experiencing authentic Costa Rican culture through fun nightly activities, including visiting San José, playing trivia, and meeting Veterinary Medicine alumni who have gone on to careers in the field!

At the Land of the Strays, you’ll work alongside your teaching veterinarian in the lab and out in the field. You’ll practice giving physical exams, participate in guided lab activities like injection and catheter placement, and accompany the dogs and vets on their daily hike through the jungle.

Spend one full day working in a free spay and neuter clinic hosted by the Land of the Strays for the local community. You’ll apply everything you learned all week to help stray dogs in San José get the care they need.

In addition to the work you’ll do at the Land of the Strays, you’ll have the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center—the largest rescue, rehab, and release facility in Costa Rica.

Wildlife Health & Conservation in Belize

Experience the 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.

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.

You can look forward to exploring multiple different habitats throughout your time in Belize, from birding on the Pine Savannah to jungle hiking and cave exploration in the rainforest.

During your time at the Tropical Education Center, you’ll have the chance to go on a cave tubing adventure and take a guided tour at the Xunantanich Archeological Reserve, where you’ll see Mayan artifacts and cave paintings.

Horses, Livestock, & Farm Animals in Belize–Our Most Hands-On Experience

Experience Livestock and Farm Animal Care

Belize is over 50% rainforest and home to the second largest barrier reef system in the world. That means that Belizean farmers play a huge part in the maintenance of some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. You’ll learn more about the relationship between farming, wildlife conservation, and environmental health through your work alongside your teaching veterinarian.

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.

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.

You’ll have the chance to take a guided tour of the Xunantanich Archeological Reserve, where you’ll see Mayan artifacts and cave paintings, and go on a cave and water adventure at Barton Creek Cave.

Please note: We are currently evaluating all aspects of Veterinary Medicine and may make changes to the curriculum or site visits to ensure the program meets the most up-to-date health and safety standards.