Join fellow future vets on an adventure of a lifetime! Assist veterinarians in clinics and in the field. Work with horses, cows, dogs, cats and native Costa Rican wildlife on this hands-on summer vet trip.
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| PROGRAM DATES | COST | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 18 - July 9, 2025 | $7,980 | Limited | Enroll Now |
| June 25 - July 16, 2025 | $7,980 | Available | Enroll Now |
| July 13 - August 3, 2025 | $7,980 | Limited | Enroll Now |
*Enrollment open now for alumni only, general enrollment opens 9/15.
“This trip provides an environment where you can explore, adapt, learn and grow with every experience. You are exposed to different views, ethics and beliefs culturally and medically in the vet community. Instructors ensure you are prepared in the field and always feeling comfortable, healthy and happy. This trip is an experience you will never forget, giving you hands on experiences in a field you are passionate about. It is a dream come true.” Madison, high school alumna
Three natural science college credits available through Lesley University.
Course description: In this course, students will get hands-on experience through academic lectures, labs and working alongside animal care professionals. Students will learn about comparative anatomy, physiology, medicine, surgery, behavior, conservation and more.
Course objectives:
20 hours of service learning through projects with farms, rescue centers and clinics.
Requirements:
Looking for a middle school vet program? Check out our Bahamas Island Wildlife Explorer adventure!
Our adventure begins as we journey down the lush coastline, pausing to visit a sanctuary that houses some of Costa Rica’s most remarkable reptiles. We spend a day immersing ourselves in the vibrant rainforests and pristine beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Central America’s most breathtaking gems along the Pacific coast. Finally, we’ll find ourselves on the beach, riding the waves during an afternoon surfing lesson, enjoying fresh fruit as the sun warms our skin.
Travel to a wildlife sanctuary and nearby refuge. Learn about different species of monkeys, bats, reptiles and birds as you shadow the on-site veterinarian. Your responsibilities at the rescue center include conducting ethograms to monitor animal behavior, creating enrichments, assisting with physical examinations and practicing necropsies. Through lectures, hands-on experiences and group discussions, expand your familiarity with ethical issues in veterinary medicine and non-human primate medicine.
Your focus shifts to small animal surgery as you take patients through the intake, anesthesia and surgical processes of spays and neuters. This controlled environment is the perfect place to practice surgical preparation, IV catheter placement, endotracheal intubation and more. As you discuss topics ranging from anesthesia protocol to career opportunities in veterinary medicine, begin to understand the possibilities of your new found knowledge. Enjoy a farewell celebration with your new friends on your final evening, and reflect on just how much you learned and experienced in just a few short weeks.
We travel back through the lowland tropical rainforest and stunning canyons to visit the lush canopy that the beloved creatures we’ll be working with call home. Naturalist guides give an intriguing introduction to Costa Rica’s ecological wonders as you raft Class III rapids. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, tropical birds and the Blue Morpho butterfly!
Santa Clara will be your home for the next few days. Here, local vets teach you how to diagnose a cow’s pregnancy through palpation. Learning and practicing your skills at dairy and beef farms will help you understand the production management industry, and you’ll also dive into large animal handling and disease lectures. Lend a hand at the wildlife rescue center, which has become a home for sloths, otters, toucans and more. Later, practice small animal examinations, identifying ectoparasites and skin conditions, at a nearby dog rescue organization.
With the majestic Costa Rican landscape as your backdrop, dive into the world of equine medicine, a very specialized part of veterinary study. Learn about preventative care, nutrition, routine vaccinations and more as you work directly with the horses. Perform examinations of hooves, gums and teeth, and get a glimpse of what the care of horses is like before taking a break from your studies to go on a short horseback ride. Focus on animal behavior as you learn a bit about how horses communicate. Get out and absorb the natural beauty of this biodiverse environment through high-energy Costa Rican adventures. We scale the rock beneath a waterfall in a canyoning adventure, ending our trip at soothing hot springs.
