Pre Vet Internship - Costa Rica

Program Details

Participants are integrated into daily operations and supervised by experienced professionals. The program emphasizes applied learning and exposure rather than independent clinical decision-making.

Key components include:

• Assisting with daily animal care, feeding, food preparation, and enclosure maintenance
• Supporting enrichment activities and observing animal behavior
• Conducting guided behavioral observations (ethograms)
• Learning basic animal handling protocols and welfare standards
• Observing veterinary procedures and clinic operations (non-invasive)
• Understanding rehabilitation processes and release criteria
• Participating in educational discussions related to wildlife medicine and conservation

This program is ideal for undergraduate students or recent graduates seeking early exposure before entering veterinary school.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Orientation & Program Introduction

• Welcome session and facility orientation
• Introduction to staff, supervisors, and safety protocols
• Overview of animal welfare standards and conservation philosophy
• Review of schedule, responsibilities, and expectations

Typical Weekly Schedule (Monday–Friday)

Morning

• Daily briefing with animal care supervisors
• Animal feeding, food preparation, and enclosure cleaning
• General husbandry tasks and sanitation protocols
• Observation of animal behavior and health indicators

Midday

• Enrichment preparation and implementation
• Guided behavioral observations (ethograms)
• Species-specific care routines
• Educational discussions on wildlife rehabilitation and welfare

Afternoon

• Shadowing veterinary clinic activities (observational)
• Assisting with non-invasive support tasks
• Data recording and behavioral notes
• Daily review and feedback with supervisors

Educational Components

• Introduction to wildlife medicine concepts
• Understanding rehabilitation and release criteria
• Ethical considerations in wildlife care
• Career guidance for pre-veterinary pathways

Days Off

• Two days off per week (not necessarily weekends)

Fees

Pre-Vet Internship

• 2 weeks: $2,500
• 3 weeks: $3,420
• 4 weeks: $4,150
• 5 weeks: $4,720
• 6 weeks: $5,155
• 7+ weeks: Please inquire

A 50% deposit of the total program cost is required to secure placement and is non-refundable.

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Includes

• Housing (Room & Board)
  Accommodation is provided on-site or through program housing, including utilities and Wi-Fi.
• Meals
  Daily meals are provided throughout the externship period. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated when communicated in advance.
• Educational Supervision & Training
  Access to professional staff supervision, mentorship, and structured learning within the chosen externship track (animal husbandry, veterinary clinic, or conservation marketing).
• Program Materials & Instruction
  Educational resources, training materials, and guidance necessary to complete assigned tasks, research, and projects.
• Operational Support for Wildlife Care
  A portion of the fees contributes directly to the ongoing care of rescued wildlife, including:
  • Medical treatment and veterinary supplies
  • Animal food and nutrition
  • Enrichment materials and general husbandry needs
• Facility & Infrastructure Maintenance
  Support for maintaining rescue, rehabilitation, and educational facilities used during the program.

Costs Not Included

Participants are responsible for personal expenses outside the program, including:

• International and local travel
• Immigration or visa-related costs
• Medical and emergency health insurance
• Personal spending and recreational activities