Phezulu Pre-Vet offers an immersive, hands-on experience for students passionate about veterinary science, animal care, and conservation. Based on a commercial livestock farm in Cathcart, South Africa, we provide direct exposure to horses, sheep, cattle, and wildlife. Our program allows students to work alongside experienced professionals, participate in lectures, and engage in real veterinary tasks such as diagnosis, treatment, and animal management. Through practical experience, we equip students with essential skills in a dynamic and educational setting.
Our structured program covers Small Animal Practice, Large Animal Practice, and Wildlife. Students take part in pregnancy scanning, injections, inoculations, lambing, calving, and assisting veterinarians with surgeries and treatments. Designed for pre-vet and vet students, as well as anyone passionate about animal care, our program offers valuable insight into African veterinary and farming work. At Phezulu Pre-Vet, we prepare future professionals with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.
Hear what past participants have to say about Phezulu Pre-Vet
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Taking on this pre vet program was an amazing choice. Cupie and Trevor were very welcoming, and had many plans set for us during the entire duration of the program. I’ve learned so much and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. Truly grateful for all I’ve learned and experienced with my South African family!
This program completely exceeded my expectations and I learned so much. Beginning with Cupie and Trevor who made me feel extremely welcome and comfortable the whole stay and have made a huge impact on my life. I am very grateful for the opportunities they gave me and knowledge they shared with me. I really enjoyed doing hands on work at multiple farms as well mini lectures on veterinary topics. I love how the program was not solely focused work; we also had the opportunity to learn about the culture and take part in activities such as hiking and sightseeing. I cannot recommend this program enough!!!! It really has solidified my interest in veterinary work.
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The Pagel family go above and beyond in so many ways. They open their home to students and give them an experience of a lifetime. I was given so many amazing opportunities and experiences, all things that I’d never be able to do back home. I met so many different people and learnt many things that I will be able to take with me for the rest of my life. It was a fun, educational and incredible experience that I will never forget.
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My time with Phezulu Pre-Vet was truly life-changing. Being able to work so closely and interact with wild and farm animals such as zebras, sheep’s, antelopes, and many others of animals was an unforgettable experience. Assisting with animal care, learning about conservation, and observing veterinary work in the field taught me more than any textbook ever could. The program team was encouraging and always willing to share their expertise. This experience made me more confident about my career path and gave me a deeper appreciation for wildlife and the importance of protecting it.
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Phezulu Pre-Vet
4 reviews
Phezulu is proud to offer this unique and special program for students seeking diverse, real-world, and practical experience working with small a...
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Get answers to all the most common questions about Phezulu Pre-Vet.
We feel our program is unique, setting us apart from other programs in South Africa, thanks to equal wildlife and domestic animal components involving work with vets and farmers. We also work with a vet physiotherapist, adding another dimension to our program. Altogether, we feel that these expose our students to various fields in the veterinary industry.
Students will gain experience in injecting, drenching, safe handling of animals, pregnancy testing, artificial insemination, fertility testing, chemical immobilization of wildlife, conservation initiatives, castrating, tailing of lambs, dipping, ear notching, and plenty more!
Although our program is mostly practical and hands-on, combined with field learning with vets, we also offer theoretical lessons. These include the chemical immobilization of wildlife, introduction to anatomy, natural nutrition of livestock and wildlife, supplementary nutrition, and animal health care. We also tackle prominent cattle, sheep, and goat breeds in South Africa. These lectures are compiled in a Phezulu Pre-Vet booklet you can keep.
Read interviews from alumni or staff
Interviewed in 2025
StaffCupie is a lifelong farmer with a background in medical technology and is a certified riding instructor. She also loves cooking with ingredients she g...
I’ve spent most of my life doing what I love—farming, working with animals, and passing on knowledge to the next generation. With a background in medical technology and qualifications as a riding instructor, I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of science, nature, and hands-on care.
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Participated in 2025
AlumniAnika Freestone, 24, is from Perth, Western Australia. She is an animal lover, regardless of whether the animal is large or small. She is a registered...
I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, or specifically South Africa, to experience and work with its wildlife since I was a little girl. I’ve wanted to experience how people all over the world do things, but I’ve always been drawn to South Africa because of what its wildlife and animals have to offer.
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Interviewed in 2025
StaffSage India Pagel is a qualified veterinary physiotherapist working with Phezulu Pre-Vet, adding a unique dynamic to the program. This sets us apart fr...
My parents started this program as they have a passion for working with animals and passing on this information to students willing to learn. Seeing this passion for teaching and seeing the confidence that students gained from going through this program inspired me to join them and come together to add a new unique dimension to the program. This program inspires students not only to pursue there veterinary dreams but also exposes them to different veterinary fields and opens their eyes to something they might not have thought the would be interested in or have a passion for. And seeing this inspires me everyday to help more students realize their dream.
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