This is an equine veterinary field project. As part of this project, World Vets team will provide direct veterinary services and care to horses 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 for 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 $1250 USD. The full amount will be due at the time of registration. 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:
World Vets logo scrub top*, volunteer kit, pre – trip planning and coordination per the project itinerary, accommodations for 7 nights, breakfast provided at accommodations, lunch on veterinary work days, airport transfers per established meeting times on official arrival/departure days (see itinerary), ground transportation related to veterinary work, a group activity as well as all supplies and full participation on the project.
*Purchase additional World Vets logo gear for your trip, including extra scrub tops here
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 the Brazil (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.
What will I be doing?
This is an equine veterinary field project. For this particular project, World Vets veterinary team will operate equine mobile clinics in/around the town of Olinda. As such, you may be working in a different location each day. Expected veterinary services to be provided include hoof and dental work, vaccinations, de-worming as well as treatment of wounds/lacerations and any other medical cases that may arise. Please note that there are four veterinary work days scheduled as part of this project.
Veterinarians
As a veterinarian, you may be involved in the following activities:
- Performing routine veterinary care for equines including hoof and dental work, administering vaccinations, de-worming as well as treating wounds and/or lacerations
- Providing instruction to fellow team members and/or local volunteers in relation to veterinary tasks and/or treatments
- Performing castrations and/or other surgical procedures that may be deemed necessary on a case by case basis (based on your comfort level and/or ability)
The veterinarian volunteer category may be filled by a licensed DVM who is both competent and comfortable in working with as well as in providing routine veterinary care to horses. PLEASE NOTE: We will require additional documentation for veterinarians volunteering on this project. See below under “A Few Special Notes” for more information
Veterinary Technicians (Licensed and Non-Licensed)
As a veterinary technician, you may be involved in the following activities;
- Performing routine veterinary care for equines including hoof and dental work, administering vaccinations, de-worming as well as treating wounds and/or lacerations
- Providing instruction to fellow team members and/or local volunteers in relation to veterinary tasks
- Assisting veterinarians with any surgical procedures that may be provided
The “Tech” (LVT/RVT) volunteer category may only be filled by a veterinary technician that is either certified, licensed and/or registered. For veterinary technicians who are not licensed, they should register under the “Tech/Student” category.
Please note that farriers are welcome on this project. When registering, select the “Tech/Student” category and further classify your position on the registration form to reflect yourself as a “Farrier”.
Students
As a veterinary student, pre-veterinary student and/or veterinary technician student, you may be involved in any of the following activities:
Working alongside fellow team members to provide routine veterinary care for equines including hoof and dental work, administering vaccinations, de-worming as well as treating wounds and/or lacerations
The student volunteer category may be filled by veterinary students, pre–veterinary students, and/or 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!
A few special notes:
- Veterinarians will be required to submit the following additional documentation per country requirements for this project: Copy of your active/current veterinary license, and a copy of your passport photo page. Such documentation should be scanned/emailed to trips@worldvets.org and/or fax to 1 877 688 8387. Please submit this documentation no later than May 15th, 2019.
- Please note: The Visa requirement for US and Canadian citizens has recently been waived for stays of up to 90 days. Read more Nevertheless, Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that they have all the required documentation to enter/exit Brazil.
- 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.
- 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.
- World Vets is able to accommodate vegetarians on this project. However, we will not able 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.
- 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. It is recommended that volunteers be vaccinated for rabies, though is not a requirement for this particular project.
- 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.
- Please read and make sure you understand World Vets Terms & Conditions
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sept 19): Official Arrival Day
Arrive at Recife/Guararapes International Airport located in Recife, Brazil. Airport Code: REC. It is requested that volunteers schedule their flights so that they arrive no later than 10 pm. Multiple airport transfers may be available and will be based on the arrival times of the majority. Upon arrival, the team will check into their 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. It is requested that volunteers submit their flight information no later than August 10th, 2019
Day 2 (Sept 20):Group Activity & Leisure
Today the team will take part in a group activity – more information to follow!
*Breakfast provided
Day 3 & 4 (Sept 21 & 22): Veterinary Work days
Hopefully you are well rested and adjusted to the climate because for the next two days you will be operating a equine field clinic.
The team will be picked up no later than 8:00 AM to be taken to the clinic location. Bring your scrub top, headlamp and comfortable shoes and be ready to pitch in and help wherever needed to make the project a success. (Lunches provided at clinic site)
*Breakfast & lunch provided
Day 5 (Sept 23): Free Time | Leisure
Today is free for volunteers to take advantage and explore the area before work begins. World Vets does not have any activities planned, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
*Breakfast provided
Day 6 & 7 (Sept 24 & 25): Veterinary Work days
Veterinary work continues today!
*Breakfast & lunch provided
Day 8 (Sept 26): Official Departure Day
Today is the official end date of the project and signifies the departure of the team. Up to two airport shuttles will be available and they will be based on the departure times of the majority. To ensure your flight is taken into consideration when scheduling airport transfers, please send us your flight info by if not before the date specified above.
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 hotel that is located in the historic center of Olinda and is within walking distance to local amenities and the beach. The property features an outdoor pool, lounge area and hammocks, as well as WiFi and an onsite bar/restaurant. Rooms have A/C and security safes. 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