This is a small animal veterinary field project that 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 (both surgical and non-surgical), 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/or 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 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, breakfasts for the whole week, lunch on clinic work days, airport transfers in Quito per established meeting times on official arrival/departure days, ground transportation related to veterinary work, a group excursion/activity, veterinary and volunteer permissions, as well as all supplies and full participation on the project.
What’s NOT included:
International/domestic 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 Ecuador (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 a small animal veterinary field project. For this particular project, World Vets veterinary team will be operating a spay-and-neuter campaign targeting both owned and unowned animals, working in collaboration with our long-time local partners Bienestar Animal Imbabura (BAI). World Vets has been providing much needed veterinary assistance in this region of Ecuador for over 15 years! 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 | Surgeons
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/Assistant” category and further classify their position on the registration form.
Students
As a veterinary student, pre-veterinary student, or veterinary technician student, you may be involved in any of the following activities:
- Premed/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 Ecuador, 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. 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 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 and/or mask.
We will be reserving double rooms; volunteers should expect to share a room. Please view the accommodations tab for more details on the property and room amenities.
World Vets is able to accommodate vegetarians on this program. However, we will not be 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.
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. 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
November 7: Travel and Overnight Stay
Fly into Quito, Ecuador (most flights arrive late PM or very early AM the following day). We recommend you book an overnight stay at the Quito Airport Wyndham hotel, a business hotel across the street from the airport with a free shuttle that runs 24 hours a day. You may also utilize the VIP Terminal passenger lounge that is open 24/7 next to the main terminal for a separate fee.
Day 1 (November 8): Official Arrival Day and Start Date of Trip
In the morning, the team will be picked up from the Wyndham hotel and take scheduled transportation from Quito to Otavalo, stopping on the way to visit the equator line. Once in Otavalo, you will have time to settle into accommodations, and the rest of the day is leisure time.
Day 2 (November 9): Group Activity | Clinic Orientation
After breakfast in the morning, the team will go together on a local tour to check out the area (to be determined)
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 (November 10, 11, & 12): Clinic Days
Hopefully you are well rested because for the next three days you will be operating a field condition sterilization campaign. The team leave the hotel by 7:30 AM, driving a short distance 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 6 & 7 (November 13 & 14): Leisure | Free Time
These days are free for volunteers. World Vets does not have any activities scheduled for the afternoon, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements. The leaders will be available to give suggestions for you to plan your own sight-seeing excursions.
*Breakfast provided
Day 8 (November 15): Official Departure Day
Today is the official end date of the project and signifies the departure of the team. Transfers to the Quito airport will be scheduled in 2-4 groups depending on flight departure times.
(Please note: the day-to-day schedule may be subject to change.)
Accommodations
The team will stay at a beautiful and cozy lodge located within the town of Otavalo and within walking distance to local markets, restaurants, and shops. It is equipped with hot showers, Wi-Fi internet access, gardens, and an outdoor patio. The team will also enjoy breakfast (included with accommodations) each morning at its very own restaurant located on site. Rooms 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