Custom Trip for Groups

Sep 01 - Dec 16, 2014
  • Trip Type:
  • Cats
  • Dogs

granada-002Do you work at a veterinary practice or are you part of a veterinary faculty at an academic institution? Are you looking for an international volunteer opportunity that you and your colleagues and/or faculty and students can do together? World Vets has a great opportunity for groups to Granada, Nicaragua. This opportunity consists of carrying out a large scale spay/neuter campaign for community OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAanimals. You would provide services out of our Latin America Veterinary Training Center. This center is equipped with gas anesthesia, central oxygen, pulse oximeters, fluid pumps, an autoclave, centrifuge and ultrasound equipment.

World Vets will be offering this custom trip starting in 2014. Prospective groups would have OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAinput to when their trip would run, however, all trip dates will need to take into account previously scheduled activities at the center as well as the availability of a World Vets field service veterinarian. Additionally, in order to plan a custom trip, prospective groups would need to have 13-14 volunteers. Please see the “project roster” on the right hand side for a breakdown of the volunteer positions that would need to be filled.

What is included: Volunteer kit for each participant which includes a World Vets scrub top, pre – trip planning and coordination (as per the project itinerary), accommodations for 7 nights, breakfast provided with accommodations, airport transfers per established times, ground transportation related to clinic work and a group activity (carriage ride and boat tour), lunch on veterinary clinic work days, full participation in project activities and all veterinary supplies and medicines required to carry out veterinary services.

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 is valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure, visa if applicable).

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.
  • Pre veterinary students will not perform any surgical procedures, however they will be involved in all other clinical activities in the same capacity as veterinary students. 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.
  • 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.
  • Volunteers are encouraged to purchase travelers insurance to cover for any unforeseen illness, injury, extreme weather causing flight delays and/or cancellations. Affordable travelers insurance, that also covers World Vets project fee in the event of a last minute cancellation, can be obtained here

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day

Today would mark the official arrival day of the group. You would schedule your flight to arrive at Augusto C Sandino International Airport located in Managua, Nicaragua.  Airport code: MGA. We would arrange an airport shuttle that would correspond to your group’s arrival time. Upon arrival at team housing, you would get settled in and have the rest of the day/evening to relax or explore.

Day 2: Group Activity

In the morning you would take part in a group activity. As part of this activity you would hop in a horse drawn carriage for a tour of the city of Granada. These horses are recipients of free veterinary services as a result of World Vets equine welfare project in the city. You would then be taken to Lake Nicaragua and get on a boat for a tour of Las Isletas (“Little Islands”). Once the tour is complete you will have the rest of the day and evening for leisure.

Day 3: Leisure  Day

Today is free for volunteers to take advantage and explore the area before work begins. World Vets does not have any activities planned for today, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.

Day 4: Veterinary Clinic Day

Today you will work out of World Vets Latin American Veterinary Training Center and provide free spay/neuter services for community animals in need of the operation.

Day 5: Veterinary Clinic Day

Today you will work out of World Vets Latin American Veterinary Training Center and provide free spay/neuter services for community animals in need of the operation.

Day 6: Veterinary Clinic Day

Today you will work out of World Vets Latin American Veterinary Training Center and provide free spay/neuter services for community animals in need of the operation.

Day 7: Leisure Day

Today is free for volunteers to take advantage and explore the area. World Vets does not have any activities planned for today, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements

Day 8: Departure Day

Today marks the official end/departure day of the project. An airport return transfer will be arranged in relation to your group’s departure time.

It is possible for participants to extend their stay, however, 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.

Please note: This is a typical itinerary. Details are subject to change

Accommodations

The group would stay at a colonial style home located in Granada, Nicaragua. The house has an outdoor courtyard and beautiful gardens. It is located just a few blocks from the center of town and within walking distance to restaurants, shops and others sights. Amenities include hot water, a fully equipped kitchen, cable, air conditioning in rooms, ceiling fans throughout and a newly installed pool. Accommodations and living quarters would be shared. Breakfast would be cooked and served each morning at the house.

LaMerced-002IMG_0110

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