Volunteer as a Veterinary Assistant

Rural veterinary clinics usually cannot afford to hire a huge staff, so volunteers are crucial. As a volunteer, you will be trained to take care of animals and even assist with procedures and surgeries. For this reason, this is a great experience for an aspiring veterinarian or student. Aside from onsite veterinary work, the clinics also run other programs, including spaying/neutering fairs and dog/cat rescue. Volunteers are encouraged to help with these projects as well.

Location
The clinics are located in San Isidro del General and Puerto Jimenez along the Osa Peninsula.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities include assisting the veterinarian with procedures and incoming patients, helping at spay/neuter fairs, talking to pet owners, and helping with the dog and cat rescue projects.

You will work 5 days a week, for 6-8 hours per day. You will work closely with the veterinarian, staff, project manager, and other volunteers. You will have the support and guidance of volunteer coordinators and be provided with a 24/7 emergency number.

Volunteers are encouraged to work for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Food & Lodging
You will stay with a host family and receive three meals a day. The meals usually consist of rice, beans, vegetables, meat/fish, eggs, and juice. Vegetarians can be accommodated.

Qualifications
You should speak basic Spanish and be at least 18 years old. You do not need a veterinary background or special training.

Applying
The application process is simple. Supply your basic information (name, age, address, medical history, etc.) then choose a project and select the dates that you would like to work. Next, write a brief background and describe any relatable experiences (volunteering or employment). Finally, explain why you want to volunteer and what you can contribute.

After submitting your online application, you will receive a response within a week. Once your enrollment is confirmed, you’ll be given additional information to help you prepare for the project.