This is a small animal veterinary field project. As part of this project, World Vets team will provide direct veterinary services and care to animals in need on a large scale. To aid in the delivery of such assistance, we have volunteer opportunities that not only facilitate quality veterinary care but also enable individuals to be a part of the work that we do around the world.
For this field project, volunteer opportunities are open to vets, techs (both licensed and non-licensed), students (vet, pre-vet, and tech) and general assistants.
How much will it cost?
The project fee associated with this veterinary field service project is $1975 USD. Before you register, please ensure you do not have any scheduling conflicts that may impact your participation as project fees are non-refundable and/or non-transferrable to other trips and/or persons.
What’s included in the Project:
World Vets logo scrub top, volunteer kit, pre – trip planning and coordination per the project itinerary, accommodations for 8 days and 7 nights, including breakfasts for the week, lunch on clinic work days, airport transfers per established meeting times on official arrival/departure days, ground transportation related to veterinary work, a group excursion/activity, veterinary and volunteer permissions and authorizations, as well as all supplies and full participation on the project.
What’s NOT included:
International airfare*, optional excursions, travelers’ insurance, health insurance, World Vets membership fee, lunch on non-work days, dinners and snacks, required travel documentation to enter/exit Guatemala (i.e. a passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from your initial date of travel, visa if applicable), incidentals and anything not specifically outlined as included.
*Go to the “Itinerary” tab above for more information about booking flights.
Please Note: Once the flights are booked, we will need to submit volunteer permissions for this project. We will need a high-quality copy of your passport ID page (png or jpg preferred), and vet license (if applicable).
What will I be doing?
This is a small animal veterinary field project. For this particular project, World Vets veterinary team will carry out a spay/neuter campaign targeting both owned and unowned animals. We may also see health consultations, perform other types of surgeries and/or treat injuries on a case-by-case basis.
Veterinarians
As a veterinarian, you primarily will be performing sterilization surgeries for dogs and cats. You may also be involved in the following:
- Medical diagnosis and treatment and/or in providing health consultations
- Performing other surgeries that may be deemed necessary on a case-by-case basis (based on your comfort level and/or ability)
- Providing instruction to students and/or local volunteers or pet owners
The veterinarian volunteer category may be filled by a licensed DVM who is both competent and comfortable in performing routine spay/neuter surgery. PLEASE NOTE: We will require copies of veterinary licenses for veterinarians volunteering on this project.
Veterinary Technicians (Licensed and Non-Licensed) | Veterinary Nurses
As a veterinary technician, you will lead and/or be involved in running the pre-med/induction station to induce anesthesia and prepare patients for surgery. This includes:
- Administering, monitoring and managing the pre-medication given to surgical patients
- Administering, monitoring and managing the anesthesia given to surgical patients
- Assisting with surgical prep and patient monitoring
The “Tech” (LVT/RVT) volunteer category may only be filled by a veterinary technician that is either certified, licensed and/or registered. Please note, proficiency in IV catheter placement is essential in this position. Veterinary technicians and assistants who are not licensed, but who have experience in a veterinary clinic setting, should register under the “Tech/Student” category.
Students
As a veterinary student, pre-veterinary student and/or veterinary technician student, you may be involved in any of the following activities:
- Pre med/Induction: Assisting with prepping patients for surgery (i.e. animal handling/restraint, expressing bladders, assisting with catheter placement, shaving and sterilizing surgical field, positioning patient for the surgeon).
- Surgery: Assisting a veterinarian in surgery, cleaning up surgical area for the next patient and/or observing surgery. Veterinary students can expect to assist with surgical procedures however they should not assume that this will be the main focus of their involvement during clinic and our campaigns in Galapagos are not focused on training students in surgical techniques.
- Recovery: Monitoring patients after surgery, administering appropriate post-op medications per protocol chart and grooming.
The student volunteer category may be filled by veterinary students, pre–veterinary students, and veterinary technology students. When registering select the “Tech/Student” category and further classify your position on the registration form to reflect the student type that you are filling.
Assistants
The assistant volunteer category is open to anyone who loves animals and wants to help. Our assistant position requires no prior experience, just a willingness to learn! Assistants often help in the post operation recovery area and in a variety of miscellaneous duties (based on your skills, experience and comfort level).
A few special notes:
The global pandemic presents an ongoing health and safety risk both in the United States and abroad and conditions and recommendations change frequently. Please refer to information on the US State Department website for travel to Guatemala as well as the CDC website for current information on international travel and health recommendations. Please read and fully understand the terms and conditions in the link below.
COVID vaccination and a negative COVID test are not required to travel to Guatemala. However, COVID still exists there, and volunteers are responsible for being careful (masks, hand-washing, social distancing). If you contract COVID and need to quarantine, you will be responsible, financially and otherwise, for any and all arrangements related to a delayed departure from your trip, although World Vets can provide suggestions on accommodations.
World Vets is not able to provide medical advice related to travel vaccines or other travel related medical questions. 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. It is recommended that volunteers be vaccinated for rabies for any international project, although is not a requirement for this particular project.
The gloves provided on World Vets projects are made with latex. Volunteers who have a latex allergy should plan to bring their own non-latex gloves.
Caps and masks are required to be worn by all surgeons as well as those assisting within the sterile field of the surgical patient. World Vets provides disposable caps and masks on field service projects, however, volunteers have the option of using their own surgical cap and/or mask.
Volunteers should expect to share a room. We will try to accommodate any roommate requests- please let us know when you register. Each room has a private bathroom/shower.
We highly recommend that you obtain travel and medical insurance for your trip. Global Rescue and MedJet are reputable providers of medical evacuation & advisory services as well as general travelers/trip cancellation insurance. You must read the policy wording to ensure the policy is a fit for your needs. Policies must be purchased prior to your initial registration in order to qualify- check with individual provider for details.
Please read and make sure you understand World Vets Terms & Conditions
For other general questions about volunteering with World Vets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Itinerary
Day 1 (July 30): Official Arrival Day
Arrive at La Aurora International Airport located in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Airport Code: GUA. Up to two airport transfers will be provided for those arriving on this date. Airport transfer times will be based on the arrival times of the majority. Upon arrival, the team will be transferred to accommodations and have the rest of the day/evening to relax and/or explore.
The flight for the field service veterinarian will be shared with you after you register. Once you have booked your flight, please submit your flight itinerary through the link provided on your registration confirmation. If you wish to be included on World Vets provided airport transfers, please send your travel information to us no later than June 26, 2023.
Day 2 (July 31): Group Activity | Clinic Set up
Following breakfast the team will take part in a cultural chicken bus tour of San Antonio Aguas Calientes and the local textile and weaver industry.
In the afternoon the field service veterinarian and a few team members will go to the clinic site with local partners to get orientated and set up for clinic work. Tonight the team will meet up to go over details and plans for the following clinic days.
*Breakfast provided
Days 3, 4, & 5 (August 1, 2, 3): Veterinary Clinic Days
Hopefully you are well rested because for the next three days you will be operating a field condition sterilization campaign. The team will be picked up by 8:00 AM to be taken to the clinic site.
Bring your scrub top, headlamp and comfortable shoes and be ready to pitch in and help wherever needed to make the project a success.
*Breakfast and lunch provided
Day 6 (August 4): Leisure | Free Time
Today is free for volunteers. World Vets does not have any activities scheduled for today, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
*Breakfast provided
Day 7 (August 5): Leisure | Free Time
Today is free for volunteers. World Vets does not have any activities scheduled for today, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
*Breakfast provided
Day 8 (August 6): Official Departure Day
Today is the official end date of the project and signifies the departure of the team. For those departing today, there will be up to two return airport transfers provided. These transfer times will be scheduled per the departure times of the majority.
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
World Vets team will stay at a lovely inn located in the city center and within walking distance to shops, restaurants and local sights. The property features an outdoor garden patio as well as a rooftop terrace that provides great views of the local area. There is Wi-fi, hot water for showers, laundry service on-site (at surcharge), and free purified drinking water at reception. Accommodations will be shared.
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