Veterinary Science Volunteer Programs

Wepa! I’m Alejandra Carbonell, a 3rd-year veterinary student from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. I had long hoped to find an experience that would push me beyond what I knew, allow me to serve others, and experience a world beyond my own. But what I found with Floating Doctors went far beyond anything I could have imagined. For a month, it truly felt like I was living in a movie. Having grown up with relatively easy access to healthcare and health information, this experience served as a powerful reminder that health education is just as important as healthcare itself when it comes to creating sustainable change, especially in communities with limited access to care. During my time with Floating Doctors, I witnessed the lengths the team goes to reach these communities: from four-hour hikes through the mountains to five-hour boat rides across open waters. No mountain was too high and no journey was too far. As a veterinary student, I had the opportunity to grow in ways I never expected. I performed my first three spays, in an outdoor setting with the guidance of two passionate veterinarians and also the curious supervision of the kids from the community. I was also able to assist with an extremely rare ectopic pregnancy spay, encountered many cases of TVT, botflies, and screwworms and had the opportunity to serve as a translator between providers and patients. Outside of the clinic, I was lucky enough to witness dolphins leaping through the water, a sloth peacefully sleeping alongside her baby in a palm tree, glow worms visiting us on a full moon, and, on our very last day, a nurse shark circling the dock, as if coming to say goodbye. Staying with the communities where phones couldn’t always be charged,Wi-Fi couldn’t be reached and hot showers were not available reminded me that in simplicity we find true connection. Sometimes, it looks like bathing in the river with scrubs on, playing cards under the light of our headlamps, looking at the fireflies or bioluminescence under a summer night, watching children turn a wheelbarrow into a river float or sharing traditional dances from our home countries. Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I would be able to live an experience as wonderful as this and meet such beautiful souls from different parts of the world. Floating Doctors will stay with me forever; not just in my memories, but quite literally on my skin. Biti Ja Tuäita — “Nos vemos” / “See you later” en Ngäbe-Buglé.

After departing from Italy and arriving in Gweru—a journey that involved two flights and a five-hour car ride—I received a warm welcome that immediately put me at ease. The first day was dedicated to orientation: the projects, activities, and rules to be followed were introduced. Above all, it was an opportunity to meet the coordinators of the individual projects—professionally qualified individuals who are deeply passionate about their respective fields of expertise. The weekly schedule of activities is presented every Sunday evening, and each day the group gathers around a fire pit to review the plans and share the highlights of the day—a moment for coming together (much like during mealtimes). Programs includes ie for Wildlife : Elephant Boma cleaning, Bird identification, Rhinos observation, Hyena Enrichment activities or Lions feed. For Community program : teaching assistance, Soup kitchen or Orphanage visit. Safari Stables : horses feed and groom, Fence checks, Safari ride, Horse Swim , Overnight ( optional ) , Polocrosse . I took part in the project for two weeks; the group of volunteers was diverse in terms of age and nationality. The accommodations are comfortable, the location is surrounded by greenery, and the food is wonderful (I don’t eat meat or dairy, and the staff and the cook were always attentive to my needs, offering a varied selection of dishes rich in vegetables from the park’s own garden!). Should any needs, questions, or requests for assistance arise, the volunteer coordinator manager is always available to help 7/24 . I had the opportunity to be of use, to learn, to meet people from different cultures, and to immerse myself in this environment—an experience that has left me with images I will carry with me forever.

My overall experience with African Conservation Experience (ACE) was smooth and straightforward, with clear and friendly communication right from the start of the trip-planning process. After sending my original interest email, I was contacted by an ACE consultant almost immediately afterwards. My detailed talk with my consultant was informative and, overall, was just a fun, enjoyable conversation with someone else who also enjoys wildlife. Once everything was planned and my trip was ready to go, I couldn’t speak highly enough about ACE. The information provided to me about the project I had chosen was really straightforward and accurate. In no way did I feel like the wool was being pulled over my eyes. ACE handle pretty much everything for you! The only things you have to manage yourself are packing your own bag and getting yourself to Johannesburg, South Africa. The major thing that I want to mention is that during my stay at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, I had a medical emergency (unrelated to the volunteer work). The volunteer coordinator for Moholoholo had to take me to the emergency room, where I stayed for two nights and had minor surgery. While I was staying in the hospital, the communication between ACE and Moholoholo made my life endlessly easier. The in-country ACE team were in touch with me throughout my hospital stay, going over the potential future options I had, as well as keeping Moholoholo's team in the loop. One staff member from Moholoholo was back the next morning after dropping me off, and he had returned with a full bag of my stuff so I could be comfortable with my belongings (phone charger/headphones, etc.) while I was in hospital. I had nothing to worry about regarding my trip. I was able to focus completely on my health while the doctors handled my medical issue. It’s also worth saying that the hospital near Moholoholo is amazing. It's a brand new private hospital, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about if something happens and you need to visit. Despite my medical emergency, I ended up going back to the conservation project to complete my incredible trip, which was only possible because of the support I received in-country. The only advice I would have for future volunteers is to take out some South African Rand at the international airport when you arrive so you always have enough cash to do the fun excursions available on Sundays.

From working with kids in a nursery, to seeing beautiful tours, and spending 2 weeks in the Amazon jungle!.. i've learned so much about my self, and the people of Peru. By far my favorite project was the Panthera sanctuary. Aldo and Cristobal are amazing people who made me embrace ALL... Of the jungle, but i've never felt more energetic and driven. the location is beautiful and rustic, with a scenic view of the river. We were able to help reforest, monitor and document animals, as well as do other activities like play volley ball, go fishing, and night animal monitoring. Oh and dont get me started on how delicous the food was, we got breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Amazing. Im reminicing as i type this. 100% recommend doing this project as well as looking into the other incredible projects Maximo has to offer. You wont regret it!!!

I did the Archaeology and Jungle Conservation programs around Cusco. They were all very well organized and Maximo made it very easy to learn how to get from place to place. I think similar programs would require much longer stays or affiliations with university programs. My feedback to future volunteers is to take whatever amount of bug spray and sunblock you think you need and triple it. If it is the rainy season, bring water proof clothes and boots.

The cultural information shared by host families was amazing. We came to celebrate our 25th anniversary and the archaeology dig was great with a wonderful host family. We will be strongly recommending this program to all our family and friends. We cannot wait to come again. Muy bueno!

I had a really good time teaching English to the Ticos here. While I was teaching them English, they were also teaching me Spanish which I loved. I’d love to do it again one day if possible. I think many people should consider this if they want to be immersed in culture, give back, and learn.

My time volunteering in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, was an incredible experience. I spent my time teaching English in a community project. The program is well organised and provides meaningful opportunities to contribute to the local community. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rewarding and impactful experience. The staff at Maximo are also lovely - Anika made me feel welcome from the moment i stepped in. I would recomend to many!

I had a really good time! It was very interesting to learn about the culture in Costa Rica. The mariposario was beautiful. The institute is great, it has a pool!! Maximo Nivel is #Awesome I would absolutely recommend any of their projects.

I spent my time in San Jose teaching English in a High School and Daycare centre. Both of these placements were extremely rewarding and a great way to experience the local culture. The project staff and staff at Maximo Nuvel have been excellent. I have found the programme extremely rewarding and will definitely do this again! A great way to see the world and give something back to local communities.

We really enjoyed working with the staff. They were very professional, friendly, helpful, fun, and informative. We loved our project! It taught us so many wonderful lessons of compassion, friendship, patience, and diversity. We definitely want to come again!

This program was very cool! we got to experience so much with all the other volunteers from night patrols, trash pickup and more! I loved all the people I met, and I feel like I made such great connections!☀️🪷🌊🌿🏄🤙

Overall, turtle conservation was a great experience. I got to see many, many turtles throughout the Aribada. Though, much of the day was boring due to a lack of work and activities to do during the day.

I´ve spent a month at Panthera Sanctuary. I have the utmost respect for the Aldo and Cristobal. They´ve made me feel welcomed and safe from day 1. I had some reservations and fears of course before my arrival considering the remoteness of the location. But they made sure we were well informed and looked after at all times. The place is a paradise, I would recommend this program to everyone who wants to be a part of something bigger, who loves animals and nature or just for digital detox. Even though we´ve had no internet connection in the sanctuary, the guys from Maximo Nivel´s office sent us regular updates and checked-in on us. I thank the whole team for this once in a lifetime experience.

Participating in the volunteer program for the sea turtle conservation program in Costa Rica with MÁXIMO NIVEL was an absolutely amazing experience. To be completely honest, you definitely need an adaptable mindset. You will be immersing yourself in authentic local contexts, adjusting to a different lifestyle, and stepping out of your comfort zone every single day.However, getting hands-on with marine conservation and taking part in night beach patrols, protecting nesting sites in the hatchery, collecting vital scientific data, and releasing hatchlings into the ocean makes every challenge completely worth it. That being said, Máximo Nivel's organization was fantastic from day one. The local team is incredibly professional, supportive, and always available to assist with anything you need—from orientation to daily project management. You feel safe, well-guided, and genuinely valued throughout the entire journey.

I’d like to start off by expressing my utmost gratitude to African Conservation Experience (ACE) and the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for allowing me the opportunity to work with such amazing creatures and people and for giving me encouragement to pursue a career in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation. I’ve yet to see a more driving force in the never-ending battle of environmental conservation. The level of compassion and effort they put into the welfare of the wildlife under their care left me awe-struck, to say the least. It’s no secret that environmentalism is an important cause that’s seldom prioritised in this world. Until you’ve put boots on the ground, it’s impossible to fully comprehend just how deeply rooted these issues lie and how much effort it takes to make short and long-term progress. During my time at Moholoholo, I was blessed to get elbow-deep in the dirty work of wildlife care and maintenance; everything from food prep to cleaning to enrichment required such a calculated approach to maximise the quality of life for those to be released and those who remain inhabitants at the sanctuary. I was able to see the full circle of life take place during my time there, seeing neonatal care, health maintenance of adult inhabitants, successful rehabilitation and release, and even the process and aftercare of the wildlife who passed on after succumbing to injuries too severe. I received an education like no other, learning about how all aspects of the local ecosystem interact with each other, and how we can help preserve and heal the areas that are in decline. Also, I was able to get an understanding of how the sociopolitical climates of the area affect everything from individual animals down to the quality of the soil that they tread upon. The people I met at ACE and Moholoholo are some of the most professional, wise, and compassionate people I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with. I am so grateful to have worked with them, and I’m incredibly excited to return in the future!

When was I planning for my next 40 years wanted to embark on a multicultural adventure that would bring me new sights, smells and experiences. After 2 weeks of consulting with other outfit programs decided to enroll in the Maximo volunteer, Spanish immersion, and mini adventure program. I had limited time to maximize my journey, and was a bit overwhelmed. After communicating with Travis and his onboarding team i was confident that i chose the right outfit for my personal journey. Their team made it very easy to customize my experience and answered all my questions with details and confirmations. I was very excited to embark on this adventure. This was my first solo international adventure and the Maximo team had the experience i wanted to work with. After landing in Cusco, i was taken care of by their travel team and taken straight to my guest house. after that i was invited to meet with Gabby (the big cheese) and got to see the international office while meeting the remainder of their team of 50. i was welcomed with open arms and introduced to Reese, the field manager who met with my for an hour to discuss the plan of action for the next two weeks. after that meeting i was excited to start my journey. I could go on and on about the client services and attention to detail that this team provided to me, and i am forever grateful to have been apart of a program that cares for its clients, community and the overall contribution to the world. My 2028 goal is to become TEFL certified and will be using MAXIMO NIVEL for that next adventure. ¨To realize ones destiny is a persons only obligation!¨

I volunteered at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for two weeks in July, and it was an experience I will never forget. I never knew conservation opportunities like this existed until a former staff member referred me during my stay in South Africa the previous year. Initially, choosing which project I wanted to do seemed difficult, as they all approach conservation slightly differently, and I was restricted to two weeks. African Conservation Experience (ACE) provided detailed information and advice based on what I wanted from the experience, and any questions or concerns I had were answered. This all led to me picking Moholoholo, which was definitely the right choice for me, so I am very grateful for the discussions we had about this. As my first time travelling solo, ACE made this a very relaxed and stress-free process. We were met at the airport by two members of the South African ACE team, who helped volunteers get anything they needed from the airport, such as SIM cards. They gave us a free meal upon arrival and also made sure we made it to the next part of our travels, whether that was another flight or a car journey. This was very helpful and saved a lot of time! My experience at Moholoholo was very eye-opening to the efforts that go into conservation. From tending to the animals permanently in the sanctuary daily (due to a variety of reasons, meaning they were unable to be released) to learning about and helping animals that were being rehabilitated to eventually be released in the wild, each scenario was different and very interesting. Hearing the stories of the individual animals and the history of the rehab showcased the dedication this place has to wildlife conservation, and it was great to be a part of that. The staff at the centre were also really kind and welcoming. During my time on the project, ACE also contacted me to check how I was getting on whilst there and if I had any problems, which was really appreciated. ACE overall made this experience very easy and stress-free, and I will be using them again. I can’t wait to be back soon!

I genuinely enjoyed my experience with the program. I felt safe, informed, and happy. I had all the information I needed to have a successful experience. My only wish is that I could have stayed longer. Thank you!

After only 2 weeks I decided I wanted to live and work in CR. So I think this says it all. I’m now going from volunteer to employee. Maximo / my host family and my volunteer project have now become friends.