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Veterinary Medicine Skills Experience in South Africa

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$300-600Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
5.0 / 5Overall Rating
2Reviews
2020Year established

Program Overview

If you’re interested in veterinary medicine and animal welfare, we have two projects rolled into one. This program is specially designed for participants with studies or qualifications in relevant sciences. Join a team of qualified professionals working with diverse animals and wildlife in South Africa to gain some hands-on experience. Alternatively, gain meaningful experience while helping a busy veterinary doctor catering to low-income pet owners and rescued animals. You can combine these two projects to get an even broader practical knowledge, adding to your wealth of knowledge. With a wide range of diseases and illnesses found in South Africa, especially with welfare cases, this means a high workload for sterilizations. You’ll never have a dull moment!

We place our vet students, interns, nurses, technicians, and qualified participants at two veterinary practices in Knysna. Both have a highly dedicated qualified staff but with different work routines, treatments, and patients. Your placement depends on availability as well as your personal needs, goals, and experience.

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Program Highlights

Gain hands-on practical experience while collaborating with a team of qualified veterinary professionals working on wildlife, livestock, or domestic animals in South Africa.
Get the chance to work with animals that need help the most, including those rescued and surrendered to the clinic.
Assist with vaccinations, parasite treatment, and veterinary care provided by a community mobile veterinary clinic to the pets of low-income owners.
Help veterinary doctors from various clinic practices on a monthly mass spay day at a local animal welfare facility.
Enjoy jam-packed weekends filled with extreme sports, whale and dolphin watching, local markets, lagoon cruises, beach and forest walks, wildlife safaris, and visits to animal sanctuaries.

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
Emergency Support

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Knynsa, South Africa

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • 2026, 2028, 2027

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • University Freshman (1st Year)
  • University Sophomore (2nd Year)
  • University Junior (3rd Year)
  • University Senior (4th Year)
  • University 5th Year or More
  • Some high school, no diploma
  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
  • Some college credit, no degree
  • Trade/technical/vocational training
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree
  • Professional degree
  • Doctorate degree

Accommodation Options

  • Guest House

Application Procedures

  • Resume
  • Online Application
  • Other
  • Written Application

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • 1-3 Months

Starts At

$300-600

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Volunteer International Adventures

5.0
2 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
2
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
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Top categories

Internship Placement
5.0
Program Administration
5.0
Living Situation
5.0
Work Environment
5.0
Health & Safety
5.0
Social Life
5.0

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Showing 1-2 of 2 reviews

Alanna WildmanUnited States · December 2020

Everything was more than I expected it to be!

I cannot begin to express how incredible this opportunity was from arrival to departure. Sharon answered any and all question I had prior to pursuing this trip and welcomed me at the airport with warm open arms, making me feel at home and as comfortable as possible during my stay. More importantly, the experience I gained from this trip was invaluable. Working with an animal welfare in Knysna introduced me to the cultural differences within veterinary medicine and exposed me to the importance of client communication and animal care in an underserved community. This experience provided me with a perspective of veterinary medicine I would have never received within the US, emphasizing the importance of embodying an open-mindset within this profession. The staff I had the opportunity to work with allowed me to have as much hands-on experience as possible with examinations, diagnostics, and surgical procedures. I truly cannot recommend this experience enough! Everything about it was more than I expected it to be!

Haynoush OhanianUnited States · December 2020

Had an amazing time

I was at Knysna veterinary clinic for a month and I had an amazing experience. I learned so much from the veterinarians working there! Sharon was so fun to see everyday, and she takes you to the best places at and around Knysna. I made lifelong friends and can't wait to be back (especially to see Sharon!)

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