World Vets will operate a pilot project in Khanom, Thailand where we will set up a small animal veterinary field campaign. A pilot project is a location where World Vets has not previously worked and/or sent a team. 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, and general assistants (individuals with no previous vet experience). Read more about volunteer positions below.
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 non-transferrable to other trips and/or persons. We highly encourage our volunteers to purchase travel insurance, in case of cancellation due to personal injury/illness, flight delays, inclement weather, etc.
What’s Included:
World Vets logo scrub top, volunteer kit (which you will receive when you arrive in Thailand), pre – trip planning and coordination per the project itinerary, accommodations for 7 nights, breakfast provided at accommodations, lunch on clinic workdays, airport transfers per established meeting times on official arrival/departure days, ground transportation related to veterinary work, a group activity, team permissions/permits, 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, dinner and snacks, required travel documentation to enter/exit Thailand (i.e. a passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from your initial date of travel and a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, TDAC), incidentals and anything not specifically outlined as included.
What will I be doing?
This is a small animal veterinary field project. For this particular project, the World Vets veterinary team will be operating a spay-and-neuter campaign targeting both owned and unowned animals. Volunteers can expect 75+ sterilizations to be performed each day. 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” or “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. Vet students who are in their 4th or final year of school will have the opportunity to perform surgery under the direct supervision of a qualified veterinarian as time allows. Because this is a high-volume campaign and not specifically a surgery training program, vet students should also expect to also help in other areas of the campaign.
- 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:
Please refer to information on the US State Department website for travel to Thailand 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.
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. We will require that all volunteers participating on this project be vaccinated against rabies.
All volunteers will be required to submit a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) 3 days in advance of their arrival date in Thailand.
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 understand that sometimes unexpected things can happen to stop a volunteer being able to participate in a project. We highly recommend that you obtain travel and medical insurance for your trip. Check online for 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 (February 20): Official Arrival Day
Arrive at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) and take 1-hour ground transport to Khanom. You will generally book international flights to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK, preferred), or occasionally Don Mueang Airport (DMK), and then domestic flights to NST.
Three to four airport transfers will be available and 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.
*Please be advised that volunteers may have to start traveling one or even two days earlier in order to arrive in Thailand on February 20th.
Day 2 (February 21): Group Activity | Free Time
Following breakfast, the team will take part in a group activity – TBD. The rest of the day is free for volunteers.
*Breakfast provided
Days 3 (February 22): Free Time | Clinic Setup | Group Meeting
The morning is set aside for free time. 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 4, 5, 6 (February 23, 24, & 25): Clinic Days
The team will leave the hotel around 7:30 AM and walk 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
Days 7 (February 26): Free Time | Leisure
This day is free for volunteers. World Vets does not have any activities planned. Volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
*Breakfast provided
Day 8 (February 27): Official Departure Day
Today is the official end date of the project and signifies the departure of the team. There will be multiple return airport shuttles provided by World Vets depending on the departure times of the majority.
*Breakfast provided
Volunteers arriving before the project start, leaving early before the project end, or staying after the official project end are responsible for their own arrangements and must cover their own expenses for extra accommodations, transport, etc.
Accommodations
Team lodging will be a comfortable beachfront resort located on the quiet shores of Na Dan Beach, providing a relaxing stay for World Vets volunteers. Spacious, air-conditioned guest rooms feature private bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, tea and coffee facilities, satellite television, and daily housekeeping.
Guests enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning featuring a variety of Thai and Western dishes, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and juices. The resort also offers two restaurants, a beachfront bar, a large swimming pool overlooking the ocean, a well-equipped fitness center, traditional Thai massage services, direct beach access, and a 24-hour front desk.
*Services provided at the spa, restaurants, and bar are not included with accommodations. Should volunteers wish to indulge in these amenities, this would be at their own expense.
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