City: San Luis/ Monteverde
Organization: UGA Costa Rica One Health About: Delve into the world of One Health by spending two weeks in July gaining insight into the link between human, animal, and environmental health. Topics explored include sustainable farming, ecotourism, climate change on disease transmission, zoonoses, and more. Best time of year: Mid to Late July Perfect for the summer after your first or second year as well as a clinical rotation in July. The program is 2 weeks in duration, but if you are pursing the international certificate, you can stay an extra week working on a special project. Housing: On and off-campus housing is completely organized and covered by the One Heath Program. Contact: Dr. Mary Hondalus with UGA or visit the UGA Costa Rica One Health webpage for more info and application. Application Deadline: Mid March Avg cost of excursion: $2350 for lodging, meals, and transpiration; does not include flight. Funding: IVSA Travel Fund or any of the scholarships listed on the UGA One Health Webpage! |
Wild Sun Rescue ExternshipCity: Cabuya
Organization: Wild Sun Rescue About: This is a four week program centered around conservation medicine and ecosystem health. Students are able to work with our veterinarians in our rescue center rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife and in a scarlet macaw reintroduction program. In addition to the Scarlet Macaw project we are in the beginning stages of starting a reintroduction program with the Geoffroy Spider Monkey. During our externships we like to invite visiting professors to teach. Animals we often see are the Mantled Howler Monkey, White Faced Capuchin, Collared Anteater, Scarlet Macaw, Coati, Kinkajou, and more. Area of emphasis: Wildlife Avg cost of excursion: We pay for your flight down and stay in exchange for a week of teaching and helping in the rescue center. Link: https://www.wildsunrescue.org/ |
Alajuela Wildlife RehabilitationCity: Alajuela
About: Work alongside an experienced wildlife veterinarian as a volunteer in Alajuela, Costa Rica and help rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals back to their natural habitat. Some knowledge of Spanish is recommended. Area of emphasis: Wildlife Housing: Provided Avg cost of excursion: 2 week session: $1,000 USD, Additional weeks: $500 USD/week Link: https://www.globalvetexperience.com/tour-item/costa-rica-wildlife-experience/ |
Small Animal Internships
City: San Ramon de Alajuela
About: Internship opportunities based around the town of San Ramon de Alajuela with duties including assisting with medical procedures, rehabilitation, vaccinations, surgeries, and diagnoses. Area of emphasis: Small animal Housing: Provided Avg cost of excursion: $1,449 Link: https://www.internhq.com/destinations/costa-rica/veterinary/ |
NATUWA Wildlife Internship
City: Puntarenas
Organization: Worldwide Vets About: Wildlife internship with NATUWA sanctuary, which provides refuge and protection to wild animals that have been victimized by hunting, trafficking, habitat loss, and human encroachment. Animals seen include jaguars, sloths, tapir, macaws, spider monkeys, and more. Area of emphasis: Wildlife/conservation Housing: Provided Avg cost of excursion: Varies based on duration [i.e. 1 week: £710] Link: https://www.worldwidevets.com/Projects/Costa-Rica-wildlife-internship |
Spay/Neuter Surgical Training
Organization: International Veterinary Training Center
About: Hands-on educational training to enhance surgical and anesthesia skills with the International Veterinary Training Center in Costa Rica while providing low-cost spays/neuters to local animal shelters. Area of emphasis: Small animal Avg cost of excursion: Duo session: $1,940; Private session: $2,690 Link: https://www.vidavolunteer.org/international-veterinary-training-center/ |
Toucan Rescue Ranch Internship
City: San Isidro
Organization: Toucan Rescue Ranch About: Internship opportunities with Toucan Rescue Ranch working alongside experienced professionals and volunteers to provide animal care, rehabilitation, and release. Animals seen include toucans, sloths, owls, and more. Area of emphasis: Wildlife/conservation Housing: Provided with meals Link: https://toucanrescueranch.org/internships/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH0SS5CD2kIfkVKcuwz23LiHuyfWbgCqcfk__2dDuEQx6dyagriyWLUaAsdoEALw_wcB |
Marine Park Internship
City: Esparza
Organization: Global Nomadic About: Intern with Puntarenas' Marine Park Animal Sanctuary and work alongside the local veterinarian in caring for injured animals in preparation for hopeful future release. Animals seen include seabirds, mammals, and reptiles. Area of emphasis: Wildlife/marine Housing: Included in cost Avg cost of excursion: 650 Euros/week Link: https://globalnomadic.com/project/marine-park-veterinary-internship-costa-rica/ |
Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center Internship
City: Alajuela
Organization: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center About: Internship opportunities with Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center working directly with an experienced wildlife veterinarian and trained rehabilitation staff to assist with performing exams, treatments, surgeries, labwork and various procedures. Animals seen include parrots, passerines, raptors, monkeys, sloths, various small mammals, turtles, iguanas, turtles, and other reptiles. Area of emphasis: Wildlife/exotic Link: https://www.rescatewildlife.org/volunteer/veterinary-internship/ Contact: [email protected] |
Vida Spay/Neuter Education Program
Organization: Vida Volunteer
About: Volunteer with Vida, who currently helps control animal overpopulation in communities in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. This is a high-quality educational program helping veterinary students gain clinical and practical experience; this program focuses mainly on small animal sterilization but also provides opportunities to work with large animals. Area of emphasis: Mixed Housing: Provided via Homestays Link: https://www.vidavolunteer.org/veterinary-program/ |
Ara Project Volunteer
City: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Organization: Ara Manzanillo Project About: Volunteer with the Ara Project and work with endangered large macaws at the extensive breeding and release center. Area of emphasis: Wildlife/exotics Housing: Provided onsite Link: https://aramanzanillo.org/volunteer/volunteering/ |