Veterinarians: Exploring The Globe, Treating Animals

Veterinarians play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals worldwide. While the traditional image of a veterinarian may evoke a static, clinic-based role, veterinarians can indeed travel the world and provide care in diverse and exotic locations. From the highlands of Scotland to the Galapagos Islands, veterinarians are in demand globally, presenting unique opportunities for travel and cultural immersion. This demand for veterinary services in remote regions has given rise to organisations such as World Vets and Veterinarians Without Borders, which offer international aid and volunteer opportunities for veterinary professionals. By leveraging their skills, veterinarians can explore the world, connect with local communities, and gain memorable, enriching experiences while making a meaningful impact on animal and human health.

Volunteering for disaster relief organisations

Disaster relief organisations play a crucial role in providing medical care and aid to animals that are injured, vulnerable, or displaced due to natural disasters. These organisations rely on dedicated volunteers to help respond to emergencies and provide care to animals in need.

World Vets

World Vets is a disaster relief organisation that has been providing free emergency veterinary response to animals affected by natural disasters for over a decade. They have a dedicated volunteer force of over 4,000 individuals who provide free veterinary care to tens of thousands of animals annually. World Vets responds to various disasters, including wildfires, floods, tropical storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis. They also provide support to local communities and collaborate with local veterinary professionals and international aid agencies.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

AVMA offers various resources and support to veterinarians impacted by disasters. They provide guidance on filing insurance claims, applying for disaster relief and reimbursement grants, and planning for disaster recovery. AVMA also offers a Veterinary First Responder Certificate Program to train veterinarians and veterinary students to serve as first responders during emergencies.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross relies on volunteers to respond to an average of 65,000 disasters annually, mostly home and apartment fires. They offer various volunteer opportunities, including volunteer management, disaster action teams, disaster preparedness presenters, and providing food, shelter, and care for families affected by major disasters.

International internships and fellowships

Veterinary internships and fellowships are a great way to gain hands-on experience working with animals and develop cultural intelligence. These opportunities are available for students, graduates, and young professionals, offering a combination of experiential learning and overseas adventure.

Intern Abroad HQ

Intern Abroad HQ offers affordable veterinary and animal care internships that can be tailored to meet specific career goals and academic requirements. Their internships are fully flexible, ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months, and are designed to help interns cultivate cultural intelligence, expand their global network, and enhance essential soft skills.

Intern Abroad HQ has internship opportunities in various countries, including:

• Seville, Spain
• Greece
• Belize
• San Ramon, Costa Rica
• Cusco, Peru
• Guatemala
• Valencia, Spain
• Argentina

Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad offers safe and hassle-free veterinary internships for every level, from students seeking pre-vet volunteer opportunities to large animal pre-vet internships. Their internships provide the chance to learn directly from qualified vets and work with a diverse range of animals, including domestic, farm, and wild species.

Projects Abroad has veterinary internship opportunities in:

• Argentina
• Sri Lanka
• Ghana
• Peru

World Endeavors

World Endeavors is an organization that offers existing and aspiring veterinarians and vet nurses the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working alongside seasoned veterinary professionals. Interns gain valuable experience working directly with animals and their caretakers, learning how vets in different parts of the world meet the challenges of their unique environments and communities.

Other Opportunities

In addition to these organizations, there are other international opportunities for internships and fellowships in veterinary medicine:

• Christian Veterinary Mission
• Equitarian Initiative
• International Veterinary Students’ Association exchange programs
• Remote Area Medical Veterinary Program
• Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS)
• Silent Heroes Foundation
• South Pacific Animal Welfare
• Vet Treks Foundation
• Veterinarians Without Borders U.S.

Working for a veterinary equipment company

The veterinary equipment market is growing, with experts projecting it to reach $4.4 billion by 2025. This growth is largely driven by the increasing role of animals in everyday life in developing nations, as well as the rise in pet ownership across the globe. Working for a veterinary equipment company can offer travel opportunities for veterinary professionals, including nurses and technicians.

Travel Opportunities

• Exhibiting at veterinary trade shows globally: You can showcase cutting-edge animal care products and connect with international veterinary professionals.
• Facilitating equipment installations and training: This involves travelling to overseas locations to set up equipment and provide training to local staff.
• Participating in veterinary product design: You may have the chance to collaborate with manufacturers in other countries, contributing to the design and development of new veterinary products.

Benefits of Working in a Veterinary Equipment Company

In addition to travel opportunities, working for a veterinary equipment company offers other advantages, such as:

• Stability and adventure: You can find positions that offer a balance of stability and adventure, allowing you to experience new cultures while having the support of a similar clinic environment to what you're familiar with.
• Competitive wages: Some positions, especially in remote or less-accessible locations, may offer surprisingly good pay.
• Personal growth and skill development: Working in different locations and with diverse animal populations can enhance your versatility as a veterinary professional.
• Networking and connection: You will have the chance to meet and interact with vets, animal carers, and locals in the places you visit, expanding your professional network and cultural experiences.
• Cost-effectiveness: Working or volunteering as a vet in different locations can be more cost-effective than visiting as a tourist. Some programs may cover accommodation, meals, or provide a stipend.

Finding Opportunities

To find opportunities for working with a veterinary equipment company and travelling the world, you can explore the following resources:

• Veterinary Career Center: Search for international opportunities on this platform.
• International Veterinary Students' Association exchange programs: This organization offers exchange programs and educational opportunities for veterinary professionals interested in international experiences.
• World Vets: This organization provides skilled teams of veterinarians and technicians who work on spay-neuter campaigns and health consultations for dogs and cats worldwide.
• World Endeavors: Offers internships and fellowships abroad for existing and aspiring veterinary professionals to gain hands-on experience with seasoned vets.

Joining an international leadership project

Veterinarians can join international leadership projects to travel the world and help animals and people in impoverished areas. These projects are often about establishing educational programs to help local residents properly care for their livestock and companion animals.

World Vets

One such organisation is World Vets, which provides skilled teams of veterinarians and technicians that execute community-wide spay-neuter campaigns as well as health consultations for dogs and cats. World Vets also improves the lives of tens of thousands of animals each year by providing free veterinary care through a dedicated volunteer force of over 4,000 individuals, combined with financial support and in-kind donations.

Other Organisations

There are several other organisations that offer service and educational opportunities for veterinary professionals and students interested in international affairs, including:

• Christian Veterinary Mission
• Equitarian Initiative
• International Veterinary Students’ Association exchange programs
• Remote Area Medical Veterinary Program
• Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS)
• Silent Heroes Foundation
• South Pacific Animal Welfare
• Vet Treks Foundation
• Veterinarians Without Borders U.S.

Planning and Preparation

When planning to join an international leadership project, it is important to start preparing at least three months in advance. This will allow you to obtain the required vaccines, apply for visas, meet other entry requirements, and make travel reservations. It is also important to research the country you will be visiting, including information on cultural etiquette, weather, climate, and time zones. Additionally, you should check for any health requirements, including vaccinations, and protect yourself professionally by ensuring you meet all legal requirements to practice veterinary medicine in the country you are visiting.

Benefits of Joining an International Leadership Project

By joining an international leadership project, veterinarians can gain a range of benefits, including:

• The opportunity to travel the world and work with animals and locals
• The ability to make a difference in the lives of animals and people in need
• Gaining valuable experience working directly with animals and their caretakers
• Developing adaptability skills by living and working in another country
• Connecting with other like-minded professionals

Participating in a veterinary mission

Veterinary missions are well-suited to veterinarians, vet nurses, and technicians who want to help animals and seek religious or spiritual fulfilment. There are numerous advantages to participating in a veterinary mission, and it is possible to travel the world while doing so.

Advantages

• Choose from long-term or short-term travel opportunities
• Enjoy the camaraderie of working with a team of like-minded professionals in a spiritual capacity
• Learn new techniques used to care for animals in developing countries

Organisations

The following organisations offer service and educational opportunities for veterinary professionals and students interested in international affairs:

• Christian Veterinary Mission
• Equitarian Initiative
• International Veterinary Students’ Association exchange programs
• Remote Area Medical Veterinary Program
• Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS)
• Silent Heroes Foundation
• South Pacific Animal Welfare
• Vet Treks Foundation
• Veterinarians Without Borders U.S.

Planning and preparation

Benefits of travelling as a vet

Travelling as a vet allows you to see a more authentic side of a destination and connect with the locals. It can also be more cost-effective than travelling as a tourist, as many programs cover the cost of accommodation, meals, or provide a stipend. Travelling as a vet can renew your passion for veterinary work and remind you why you chose this career path.

Combining travel and a veterinary career

Combining travel and a veterinary career is possible and can be a rewarding experience. By participating in a veterinary mission, you can satisfy your desire to help animals and explore new places.

Frequently asked questions