The International Veterinary Medicine (IVM) Program is World Vets student program that is run out of our of Latin America Veterinary Training Center located in Nicaragua. 
The IVM Program provides English speaking students with a unique training and cultural experience by providing them an opportunity to 
gain practical veterinary experience within an international context.
For this particular project we will be adapting the IVM Program to a field project setting. In this way students will receive the same hands on veterinary experience, with guidance and supervision from licensed veterinarians. However, the location and work conditions will vary. Instead of operating out of a teaching facility, students will work in a non-clinic environment and in turn be exposed to practicing veterinary medicine in a 
field-clinic setting.
What is included: Volunteer kit, World Vets scrub top, pre – trip planning and coordination (as per the project itinerary), accommodations for 7 nights, breakfast with/at accommodations, Roatan airport transfers per established meeting times on official arrival and departure dates, round trip ferry ride between Roatan and Utila per designated dates/times outlined in itinerary, ground transportation related to clinic work and veterinary activities, lunch on clinic work days, veterinary permits, 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, personal equipment necessary for the course (i.e watch, stethoscope, water bottle) and anything not specifically outlined as included. Volunteers are also responsible for obtaining any travel documentation required of them to enter/exit Honduras (i.e a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the initial date of departure, visa if applicable).
How is this different and/or the same to the regular IVM Program?
How much will it cost?
Students:
The project fee for this IVM Field Project for pre – veterinary, veterinary and veterinary technology students is $1650 USD, however, we will only require a deposit of $400 USD at the time of registration. The remaining amount ($1250 USD) should be paid via a personal check made out to World Vets and be payable in US currency by March 5th, 2018. Credit cards and money orders are also accepted forms of payment. If you register after this date, we will require the remaining balance within 5 – 7 business days from the date of your original registration.
DVM & LVT/RVT Instructors:
The registration fee for this IVM Field Project for DVM and/or LVT instructors is $400 USD and is due at the time of registration.
Licensed veterinarians and technicians must have at least one year of clinical experience to qualify for an instructor position, however, prior teaching experience is not a prerequisite. If you would like to be considered for an instructor position, please send a copy of your current CV and DVM and/or LVT/RVT license to info@worldvets.org. This is a low cost volunteer opportunity.
What will I be doing?
Veterinary Students
Veterinary students have the unique opportunity to receive one on one guided training with a qualified DVM instructor. We accept students from all levels and guide them through basic surgical skills on to completing spay and neuter surgeries. Every student develops at their own pace so this is why we encourage learning in a low stress environment where training can be directed to your own needs. The veterinary instructor is there to guide and encourage you to complete surgeries as safely and efficiently as possible. You may also assist pre – veterinary and technician students with pre – operative and post-operative procedures on your patients.
Pre – Veterinary and Technician Students
You will work under the guidance of licensed technician and veterinary instructors. You will learn how to prepare patients for surgery, such as performing complete physical exams, administering pre-anesthetic medications, catheter and endotracheal tube placement, bladder expression, anesthetic induction, and monitoring of patients while under anesthesia. You will also assist with post-operative recovery of patients. This program is targeted at students who do not have significant clinical experience and have not worked extensively in a veterinary clinical setting. If you already have extensive experience with the above mentioned procedures, this program is probably not going to fulfill your needs. You should instead look toward volunteering on one of our regular international field service projects.
DVM Instructors
You will work one-on-one with veterinary students to teach spay and neuter surgery. We would like for you to teach students your technique so that they are exposed to several different approaches. No prior teaching experience is required although you must be comfortable performing and teaching basic spay and neuter surgery.
LVT/RVT Instructors
You will work one-on-one with pre veterinary and technician students to teach them basic clinical skills such as preparation of patients for surgery (pre-med, placing catheters, intubation etc.), performing physical exams, basic anesthesia concepts and patient recovery. No prior teaching experience is required, although you must be comfortable performing and teaching basic patient surgical preparation, monitoring and recovery.
A few special notes:
- Before booking your flight, please review the instructions for arrival/departure times outlined in the itinerary
- Veterinarians will need to provide World Vets with a copy of their current license for this project. We will require this at least 2 months prior to the project’s start date. Copies of licenses can either be faxed to 1 877 688 8387 or scanned/emailed to .
- The gloves provided as part of this program are made with latex. If you have a latex allergy, you will need to supply your own gloves for this program.
- Participants are responsible for obtaining any health requirements and/or precautions (i.e. vaccinations) prior to departure and its associated cost. World Vets is not able to provide medical advice. Participants 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. We require all volunteers to have some form of health insurance.
- 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 travelers 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 able to accommodate vegetarians on this program. However, we will notable to accommodate any specialty diets such as vegan, kosher and/or gluten free etc. Those who have strict dietary restrictions will need to bring their own supplements and/or snacks for the program. Nevertheless, there are many restaurant options in Granada for vegetarians, vegans etc.
- The International Veterinary Medicine (IVM) Program is for instructors and students respectfully. We are not able to accommodate any children (under the age of 18) and/or significant others of instructors should they not be participating in the capacity of student and/or instructor.
Please read and make sure you understand World Vets Terms & Conditions.
Itinerary
Day 1 (May 12): Official Arrival Day
Arrive at Roatan International Airport*. Airport code: RTB. Volunteers will need to schedule their flights so that they arrive no later than 1 pm. The team will then catch a ferry to Utila that is scheduled to depart at 2 pm. Upon arrival, the team will check into accommodations and have the rest of the day to relax and 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. Please send us your flight information no later than April 12th, 2018
*Volunteers may elect to fly in/out of the Utila Airport directly. However, please note that World Vets will not be providing airport transfers to/from team accommodations for this airport. Should you fly in/out of the Utila Airport, you will then be responsible for providing your own airport transfers.
Day 2 (May 13): Group Activity | Free Time
Today you will take part in group activity – more information to follow!
Day 3 (May 14): Free time AM | Orientation PM
The morning is set aside for free time where volunteers may go sightseeing, and/or take part in an excursion before work begins.
In the afternoon everyone will meet back up for orientation and visit the clinic site where you will be working the next three days.
Day 4, 5 & 6 (May 15, 16 & 17): Clinic work days
Hopefully you are well rested and adjusted to the climate because for the next three days you will operate a low volume field condition sterilization campaign, and may also provide health consultations. You will start around 8:30 am and should finish around 5 pm. (Lunch provided at clinic site)
Day 7 (May 18): Free Time | Leisure
Today is free for volunteers to go sightseeing and/or take part in an 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 (May 19):Official Departure Day
Today is the official end date of the project and signifies the departure of the team. The team will catch a return ferry at 10:15 AM back to Roatan. Volunteers should schedule their return flights so that they depart no earlier than 1 pm. Departure times scheduled in the early morning cannot be accommodated.
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 Roatan and/or the Roatan airport.
Accommodations
The team will stay in a rustic Caribbean style hotel located within walking distance to town amenities and beaches. The property has an outdoor pool and lounge areas as well as an onsite bar/restaurant. Students will sleep in shared dormitory style rooms and instructors will have private rooms, shared with one other instructor.
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