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Panama Wildlife Veterinary Medicine
by: Loop Abroad
“Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Panama” was designed by Dr. Chloe Buiting, The Jungle Doctor, for students looking to gain clinical experience in this field. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a sloth vet? Or treat some of the world’s most endangered wildlife? The Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Panama Program might be for you – now open for enrollment! This program is based at a veterinary clinic that treats wildlife, exotics, and small animals. It also takes you to a busy wildlife rehabilitation facility, which emphasizes the rehabilitation and release of sloths. By joining us in this program, you’ll learn about the treatment of Central American wildlife, including clinical examinations, handling, restraint, common diseases, and medical therapies. You will also learn about the rehabilitation process and have the opportunity to shadow any surgeries, rescues, or releases during your time! This two-week program is based between Centro Veterinario Panamá and the APPC, both located in Panama City.
“Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Panama” was designed by Dr. Chloe Buiting, The Jungle Doctor, for students looking to gain clinical experience in this field. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a sloth vet? Or treat some of the world’s most endangered wildlife? The Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Panama Program might be for you – now open for enrollment! This program is based at a veterinary clinic that treats wildlife, exotics, and small animals. It also takes you to a busy wildlife rehabilitation facility, which emphasizes the rehabilitation and release of sloths. By joining us in this program, you’ll learn about the treatment of Central American wildlife, including clinical examinations, handling, restraint, common diseases, and medical therapies. You will also learn about the rehabilitation process and have the opportunity to shadow any surgeries, rescues, or releases during your time! This two-week program is based between Centro Veterinario Panamá and the APPC, both located in Panama City.
Program Highlights
Perform a complete physical exam on a sloth.
Perform veterinary lab work, such as coprology exams and necropsies.
Learn about the rescue, rehabilitation, and release process of tropical animals.
Join daily rounds in the clinic to discuss current hospital in-patients and cases.
Gain an insight into and help with the care of sloths, anteaters, toucans, cats, kinkajous, monkeys, and other Central American wildlife.
Quick Details
- Panama City, Panama
- Summer
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine & Science
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
- All Nationalities
Awards








Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
They want you to succeed!
June 14, 2025by: Salma ProctorThis was such an amazing experience and I've grown to love everyone on and involved in this trip. You can tell how much everyone cares about your learning and that they want you to succeed in the future!
So glad to take this step
June 08, 2024by: Ashleigh WilliamsLoop Abroad has been able to give me such amazing opportunities to challenge and show off my veterinary knowledge. I have been so glad to take the big step and be part of this awesome eprogram. Everyone from the Loop Abroad staff, to the amazing friends I have met from this trip, I have never felt so welcome out of the country.
Adored my time at Panama
June 08, 2024by: Aleesha PhillipsI absolutely adored my time at Panama. Every experience was unforgettable. The veterinarians here are truly passionate and love to spread their knowledge and educate the students. This trip inspired me to push for a future in exotics so I can experience life the way the veterinarians I worked with do. I also cherish the connections I made with other people on this trip.
I'm glad I chose to attend a Loop Abroad program!
June 25, 2023by: Sandy EvansBeing on this trip allowed me to learn a lot about myself & the passion I have for wildlife. I'm walking away from this program with knowledge I didn't have before, awesome and unexpected friendship and countless memories! I'm glad I chose to attend a Loop Abroad program!
Life changing
June 10, 2023by: Morgan DavisMy Loop Abroad experience was been life-changing. It helped me learn so much that I will need with my future career working with animals. In addition to all of the knowledge, I have gained, I have amazing memories to look back on. I loved going to the APPC and helping with the sloths. Both our instrucotrs were absolutely wonderful. They supported me in every way they could and ensured I got the most out of my experience. They made me feel comfortable and safe and were overall amazing! I highly recommend going on one of these trips
Leaders made it super special
June 10, 2023by: Ashley HayesThis trip was such a wonderful experience. I made many special connections with people from all over and I feel more confident about taking the next steps for my future. Our leaders made the whole experience super special. They went out of their way to make connections with us and were very patient when teaching. Thank you Loop Abroad - it's been amazing!
Hosts made it so special
June 10, 2023by: Clarissa ByrdOur leaders really made the trip special by giving me help when I was feeling sick and being so kind and understanding throughout the whole trip! Our hosts also made it special by guiding us through the hands-on work and answering all our extra questions. My favorite part was the boat tour to see the wild monkeys and giving vitamin shots to the parrots!
Sloths were amazing
June 10, 2023by: Jen WrightThis program gave me a lot more knowledge about animals - specifically exotics. I am so grafetul for everyone I met and everything I learned. I'm even more excited about my future in vet med because of this trip. I had a lot of fun feeding and working with the sloths. I also really enjoyed going to see the wild capuchin monkeys! :)
So many new friends and connections
June 10, 2023by: Kayleigh CastilloLoop Abroad is amazing and allows you to gain experiences that would be difficult to find elsewhere! I made so many friends and connections and I'm extremely grateful for all of the Loop Abroad staff I met. Definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life.
Leaders were amazing
June 10, 2023by: Maria BaxterMy leaders were both amazing to learn from and work with! They were inspirations as vets and I love their outlook on this profession. I really enjoyed the clinic, especially with all the cases. I also loved the sloth necropsy, the beach, snorkeling, and the Panama Canal!
An experience I'll always look back on
June 10, 2023by: Hannah HowardThis trip taught me so much. It gave me knowledge I can use for a long time and was an experience I will always look back on. The leaders were there to answer all the qeustions and just made me feel very welcome. I especially loved the sloths and all the other animals!
Nowhere else could I have this experience
June 10, 2023by: Priscilla McDanielThis is a phenomenal program that has taught me a lot. Nowhere else would I be able to chill on a beach under a sleeping sloth, give macaws shots, or learn so much about exotic wildlife. This trip changed my future and I will always be grateful!
Once in a lifetime
June 10, 2023by: Victoria MendozaThis trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The clnic taught me so much about exotic animal care and my leaders were so caring. I got to meet some amazing friends as well! My favorite part was working in the clinic and going to beach.
Absolutely loved it
June 10, 2023by: Hannah FoxI absolutely loved Loop Abroad. My leaders made it so amazing. I highly recommend this to anyone. I really enjoyed going to the beach because I loved being at the ocean and spending the day snorkeling.
Amazing hands on experience!
October 17, 2022by: Shadiyah Feliciano - United StatesI really enjoyed my trip to Panama, in two weeks I got more hands-on experience than most of my classmates back home got in two months working at a vet clinic. We got to work with many exotics and the staff was always friendly and willing to answer questions! You also have such a fun time exploring Panama and doing activities with your group!
A trip I will never forget!
August 25, 2022by: Jennifer Lundgren - United StatesI loved this trip so much. Everyone on the trip, including the vets and other volunteers was amazing. I felt like I could not have gotten this great experience without Loop Abroad. I got the real hands-on experience that I have never had before. I also feel like I got insider views on the Veterinarian world instead of my previous outside views. I would highly recommend people to take this trip because not only is it great for your future career, but it also had fun experiences that taught us about Panama and let us go sightseeing!
I would go back in a heartbeat!
November 12, 2021by: Emily Fischels - United StatesLoop abroad Panamá was PANAMAZING!! Every single staff member in-country and Loop staff was extremely knowledgeable and kind. We had lectures on many different topics such as Panamanian wildlife, exotic restraint/anesthesia, and the illegal pet trade from experienced vets- even the dean of Panamá's vet school came to give a lecture on echocardiograms! We got to have hands-on experiences every single day and be involved in appointments at Centro Veterinario Panamá. Some examples of the amazing activities we did: suturing a cadaver, blood smears, deworming macaws, ultrasound guided aspirates (of a grape), venipuncture, feeding baby sloths, necropsy, restraint, and so much more! We had a small group so a veterinarian was always right by our side helping us and answering questions. It was easy to tell they were truly excited to teach. We got to know all of the staff and fellow students on a personal level and I will always cherish those relationships. We also did some tourist things like a trip to the beach, casco viejo, and ziplining. All of the food was incredible and the living situation was very nice as well. Loop made the travel process easy and I never once felt unsafe. We had a very nice living room area to spend time with our groupmates and always had activities and games to do together in the evenings. The in-country staff welcomed us into their country and clinic with open arms and made sure we had an authentic Panamanian experience. There was never a boring moment in the whole trip-they truly packed as many amazing experiences they could into the time we had.

Amazing experience (:
November 12, 2021by: Mackenzie Quinn - United StatesThis trip was very hands on and allowed all of us students to hone real life veterinary skills. We got to work with all different types of species from dogs and cats to ferrets, macaws, and snakes. Every day was jam packed filled with unique, fun, and engaging learning opportunities. Our days off allowed for us to explore Panama and learn more about the culture. Cannot say enough good things about this trip (:
Life changing trip!
November 05, 2021by: Kavan Anderson - United StatesDuring the Panama Wildlife Veterinary Medicine program I was able to get loads of hands on experience, cultural emersion, and new friends! I enjoyed the people, the amazing sights, and of course all of the animals we were able to interact with. I am 100% planning on traveling with Loop Abroad again in the future.
Better than I could have ever imagined!
November 05, 2021by: Jamie Gray - United StatesI have never been on a veterinary focused trip before and I was hesitant since I just didn't know what to expect. I'm also vegetarian and was worried about the food options, but everything was amazing. The housing was great, I felt safe everywhere we went. I wanted to make sure I got to be as hands on as I wanted, and was able to ask questions and talk to doctors and get exposure I couldn't get anywhere else. This trip EXCEEDED all of my expectations. The doctors were amazing, the leaders are now my mentors and friends. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to work on their medical Spanish, anyone who wants more exotic experience and wants to fine tune some of the skills they might already have. 1000/10!

Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Panama City, Panama
Types and Subjects
- Subjects & Courses
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine & Science
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Availability
Years Offered: 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029
- Summer
Age Requirement
18-25
Guidelines
All Nationalities
This Program is also open to Solo, Group
Starts At
Program Cost Includes
- Tuition & Fees
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
- On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
- In-Country Orientation
- Academic Credit
- Wifi Costs
- Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- All Program Activity Costs
- Certificate of Completion
Accommodation Options
- Group living
- Guest House
- Other
Qualifications & Experience
- University Freshman (1st Year)
- University Sophomore (2nd Year)
- University Junior (3rd Year)
- University Senior (4th Year)
- University 5th Year or More
Accepted Education Levels
Application Procedures
- Essay
- Letters of Reference
- Transcript
- Online Application
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