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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.