World Vets equine welfare project provides free veterinary services to the local horse population within the department of Granada. Veterinary services target carriage and cart horses as well as those owned by low income households who cannot afford veterinary care for their horses. As 
part of this project, we will operate equine mobile clinics in both urban and rural settings. Volunteers will also receive instruction, training and practice in performing specific
What is included: Volunteer kit, World Vets scrub top, pre – trip planning and coordination (as per the project itinerary), accommodations for 7 nights, breakfast provided at accommodations, airport transfers per established times on official arrival/departure days, ground transportation related to veterinary work, lunches on clinic work days, a group activity, full participation in project and all supplies.
What is not included: Airfare, optional excursions, incidentals, travel and/or health insurance, World Vets membership fee, and anything not specifically outlined as included. Volunteers are also responsible for obtaining any travel documentation required of them to enter/exit Nicaragua (i.e a passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from the initial date of travel, $10 USD tourist visa issued upon arrival).
A few special notes:
- The gloves provided on World Vets projects are made with latex. Volunteers who have a latex allergy will need to provide their own gloves for this project.
- World Vets is not able to provide medical advice. Volunteers are encouraged to consult with their family physician, nearest travel clinic and/or center for disease control regarding recommended immunizations and/or health precautions prior to the trip. Although not a requirement to participate on a World Vets project, it is recommended that volunteers be vaccinated for rabies.
- If you would like to support or encourage others to contribute to our equine welfare fund, which directly benefits horses in Nicaragua, please see here
- We understand that sometimes unexpected things can happen to stop a volunteer being able to participate in a project. For that reason, we highly recommend that you obtain some form of insurance for your trip. Affordable travellers insurance can be found here, which can also cover trip cancellation in some circumstances and covered reasons. You must read the policy wording to ensure the policy is a fit for your needs. World Vets project fees are non-refundable and non-transferable (to another person or to another project). We encourage volunteers to make sure the dates of our projects do not conflict with any prior engagements before signing up.
- World Vets is not liable for lost and/or stolen items at team housing and/or at clinic site locations
- Please read and make sure you understand World Vets Terms & Conditions
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Itinerary
Day 1 (Feb 17): Official Arrival Day
Arrive at Augusto C Sandino International Airport located in Managua. Airport Code: MGA. Multiple airport transfers may be provided (i.e. one for afternoon arrivals and another for evening arrivals), however we request that volunteers plan to arrive no later than 9:30 pm. Upon arrival, the team will check into their accommodations and have the rest of the day/evening to relax and/or explore.
Once the flight for the field service veterinarian is booked, it will be shared with you via email. Once you have booked your flight, please send your flight information (i.e. arrival/departure time, airline carrier, flight numbers) to info@worldvets.org no later than January 17th, 2018.
Day 2 (Feb 18): Group Activity/Leisure
Today the team will take part in a group activity. After breakfast you will be taken on a horse drawn carriage ride tour. The carriage horses are one of the targeted equine groups for World Vets equine welfare project in the city. Chances are that you will be treating some of them during work days. Following the city tour you will board a boat and be taken on a mini cruise around Las Isletas in Lake Nicaragua.
Day 3 & 4 (Feb 19 & 20): Field Clinic Work days
The team will be picked up between 8:00 – 8:30 AM to be taken to the clinic site. You will be working in a different location each day. This is to make our services more accessible to our target equine groups who are carriage and cart horses as well as those owned by low income households that cannot afford veterinary care for their animals. Expected veterinary services to be provided include hoof and dental work, vaccinations, castrations, de-worming and wound treatments.
(Lunch provided at clinic site)
Day 5 (Feb 21): Free/Leisure
Today is free for volunteers to explore the area, do some sightseeing and/or take part in a nearby excursion. World Vets does not have any activities planned for today, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
Day 6 & 7 (Feb 22 & 23): Field Clinic Work days
Once again the team will be picked up between 8:00 – 8:30 AM to be taken to the clinic site.
(Lunch provided at clinic site)
Day 8 (Feb 24): Official Departure Day
Today is the official end date of the project and signifies departure. There will be two airport transfers provided (i.e. one for early morning departure* and another for late morning/mid afternoon departures).
*Please note that if you have a 6 am or 7 am departure, the airport transfer may be scheduled as early as 3:30 am.
For volunteers who wish to extend their stay, this is something that is not included in the project fee. Also, please know that if you stay past the official end date of the project, you will then be responsible for your return transportation to the airport.
Accommodations
The team will stay at a colonial style home with beautiful gardens located just a few blocks from the center of town and within walking distance to restaurants, shops and others sights. The property features WiFi, an outdoor pool, common/lounge areas and ceiling fans throughout. Rooms have air conditioning. Accommodations and living quarters will be shared. Breakfast is cooked and served each morning at the house.
A special note: Granada is a vibrant and lively city that comes alive early in the morning with the sound of church bells, school children and horse drawn carriages making their way down the cobblestone streets. The lovely accommodations are right in the heart of the city so if you think the noise will bother you, we recommend that you bring ear plugs for better sleep.
General Packing List
*NOTE: This is a general packing list.
Please research your project's forecast information for weather permitting items.
- Shoes (anything comfortable w/ covered toes for clinic days)
- World Vets scrub top (required during clinic days)
- Scrub pants (optional)
- Pants
- T-shirts (weather permitting)
- Shorts (weather permitting - shorts are ok for surgery)
- Bandana/hat
- Swimsuit (weather permitting)
- Sweatshirt (weather permitting)
- Light jacket (weather permitting)
- Pajamas
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle (highly recommended)
- Headlamp (highly recommended)
- Camera
- Tote bag
Toiletries:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Prescription medications
- Over the counter meds (Tylenol, Imodium, cold meds etc)
- Personal bottle of hand sanitizer (highly recommended)
- Soap
- Sunscreen (highly recommended)
- Bug spray (DEET) (highly recommended)
- Brush
- Band-Aids
- Glasses/contact lenses
Extras:
- Beach Towel (if applicable)
- Ear Plugs
- Flip Flops/Shower shoes/Water shoes
