Veterinary Medicine Volunteer or Internship in Ecuador

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Guayaquil,  Cuenca,  Mindo,  Loja

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All year - round

Description: Our veterinary medicine volunteer/internship program in Ecuador is designed to provide a fun learning experience for anyone who has an interest in animals and has a career goal in the veterinary profession. If you have a passion for working with animals, either in the field of veterinary medicine or in a more general animal care-oriented role, then our voluntary/internship project is a perfect way for you to gain some knowledge and put your skills into practice in a developing world.

Highlights:
Your experience within one of our zoos working with wild or domestic animals and with large or small animals or within a small veterinary clinic working with small animals in Ecuador will be a unique eye-opening, hands-on, mind-enriching experience of a lifetime in veterinary medicine where you will work side by side with highly qualified host country Veterinarians. Placements are suitable for anyone interested in volunteering or interning abroad. Our veterinary medicine program is available for college, under graduate and recent graduate students taking a gap year or career break or for those professional anxious in sharing their professional knowledge, experience and expertise.

Responsibilities
Volunteers and interns would be involved in the day-to-day duties of the veterinarian centers or zoos and will be working side-by-side with the regular staff in animal healthcare issues.   

Moreover, volunteers and interns will gain "hands on" experience in the following duties:
- Volunteers or interns will be assisting with patient preparation for and recovery from surgery
- Surgeries at our local spay/neuter clinics of dogs and cats and veterinary department of zoos. Inexperienced vet volunteers or interns will participate in surgical pack sterilization while experienced vets will perform surgery, under the supervision and assistance of licensed host country veterinarians.
- Immunizations for parasite management and nutrition supplements.
- Vaccinations programs.
- Administration of medication and vaccinations to animals.
- Volunteers and interns will be assisting with animal exams, diagnostics and treatments.
- Participation in sterilization/infertility project in order to avoid the uncontrolled reproduction.
- Post-mortems works
- Meat inspections for feeding animals

Qualifications:
This project is an ideal opportunity for animal and veterinary loving volunteers. Everyone can help and make a real difference in the health of animals. There are no specific qualifications required. Our program is open for students and professional of veterinary or anyone who has passion for welfare of animals. Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish and good physical shape/health are recommend.

Cost in US$: very affordable

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years and older

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

ELEP - Experiential Learning Ecuadorian Programs's Mission Statement: Our mission is to promote international understanding through educational and cultural exchange between Ecuador (Latin-American) and the rest of the world, to help people to gain hands-on practical experience, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, accomplishing these goals through our Volunteer, Internship and Spanish Study Programs. Therefore, ELEP's commitment is to contribute to intercultural and learning experience opportunities and development of the people, companies, organizations and communities through our programs

Year Founded: 1999