This is a custom trip for Lakefield Veterinary Group.
World Vets has been facilitating free veterinary services, for both horses and small animals, in Nicaragua since 2008. One of our biggest accomplishments to date has been the founding of our Latin America Veterinary Training Center in Granada, which provides free surgical instruction and training to Latin American veterinarians and upp
er level veterinary students. It also hosts our International Veterinary Medicine (IVM) Program for up to 12 weeks every year. Through these training programs, in addition to community outreach and sterilization field clinics, we aim to contribute to the improvement and overall well being and health of local animals.
As part of this veterinary field project, you will be helping us make spay/neuter and other needed services more accessible, especially for those 
who, due to distance, currently do not benefit from our program at the Latin America Veterinary Training Center. This particular project will also celebrate World Rabies Day (Sept 28) and in turn administer rabies vaccines to all animal patients.
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 field clinic
work days, a group activity, full participation in project and all supplies.
What is not included: Airfare, optional excursions and/or activities, incidentals, travel and/or health insurance, World Vets membership fee, dinner, a few lunches (on ‘free’/non-work days) 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 is valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure, a $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.
- 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 the training center facility.
- Please read and make sure you understand World Vets Terms & Conditions
-
-
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sept 23): 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 get settled into accommodations and have the rest of the day/evening to relax and/or explore.
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 August 23, 2017.
Day 2 (Sept 24): 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 of the city, which includes a visit to World Vets Latin America Veterinary Training Center facility. The carriage horses are one of the many local equine groups that benefit from World Vets equine welfare project that has been operating in Granada for many years. Following the city tour you will board a boat and be taken on a mini cruise around Las Isletas in Lake Nicaragua.
Day 3 (Sept 25): Community Outreach & Free Time
This morning you will be involved in providing a community outreach clinic. You will visit a nearby neighborhood and provide health consultations, administer rabies vaccines and preventative health medicines to cats and dogs.
The afternoon is set aside for free time. World Vets does not have any activities planned for this, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
Day 4, 5 & 6 (Sept 26, 27, 28): Field Clinic Work days
The team will be picked up by 8:00 AM to be taken to the field clinic site. The veterinary services to be provided include spay/neuter surgery, health consultations and any other surgery deemed necessary on a case by case basis (i.e. mass or tumor removal, eye enucleation). Rabies vaccines will also be administered to all patients in celebration of World Rabies Day (Sept 28).
(Lunch provided at clinic site)
Day 7 (Sept 29): Free | Leisure
Today is free for volunteers to explore the area, do some sightseeing and/or take part in a nearby excursion before they head home. World Vets does not have any activities planned for today, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
Day 8 (Sept 30): 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 house has a fully equipped kitchen, cable, air conditioning in rooms, ceiling fans throughout and an outdoor pool. Accommodations and living quarters will be shared. Breakfast will be cooked and served each morning at the house.
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
