Spay & Neutering Veterinary Course - Panama

This project provides qualified vets, students, and those simply interested in caring for animals the opportunity to work throughout Panama improving the lives of stray cats and dogs.

The organisation you will be working with has been active in Panama for the last eight years targeting strays and pets with low-income owners. You will participate in their Spay and Neutering programmes all over the country, working together with local communities and seasoned staff.

You will get the chance to get to know Panama and its culture through organised activities including dinners, tours to the Panama Canal and Embera-Puru, and a walking tour of Old Panama.

You will participate in a one week training programme where you will work alongside and learn from veterinary staff as they perform their daily activities and responsibilities. Depending upon your experience and qualifications, you can get involved in general treatment and surgery, under the supervision of qualified veterinarians.

You will learn the Quick Spay Method (small incision, early sterilization, use of stainless steel suture, and early release), that knowledgeable 'SPAYes' veterinarians perform on kittens and puppies as young as 1 week! You will also provide medical attention, when possible, to injured and sick animals that the organisation comes across.

Once you and other volunteers are trained you ill join the mobile clinic. You travel to different parts of Panama to set up the clinic, caring for animals that may have never seen the care of a veterinarian. You will get to travel with the organisation's vets, living in often rustic conditions to provide care to those animals most in need.

Additional activities you will get involved with include;

* Cleaning cages
* Cleaning instruments
* Prepping animals for surgery
* Tattooing dogs
* Post operation care
* Nipping one ear of cats
* Assisting veterinarians on their rounds
* Placing catheters
* Anaesthesia
* Helping to pack for the Mobile Clinic

You will be met a Toucumen International Airport and taken to the project location.

You will be staying in a very comfortable guest room in the house of the project coordinator. You will share a room with other interns, with full access to hot showers, fully equipped kitchen, WIFI internet access and cable TV for the evenings.

* Min age 18

* One week total time commitment

* Committed to improving the welfare of animals

* English and/or Spanish skills

* You should looking to study, be studying, or have studied veterinary medicine. However those simply looking to learn more about caring for animals can be accommodated for.

* Full travel & medical insurance

* Necessary vaccinations 

* Necessary flights & visas 

Fee:

 £125GBP Placement Fee

There is no monetary Project Fee, however, the organisation requires a donation of surgical supplies (of approximately $300 USD) and a donation for the Embera Indian Educational Fund ($25 USD). Full details will be provided once your application has been accepted.

Donation requirement is waived for volunteer qualified veterinarians
 

What's Included:

Donation covers all food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation, sightseeing, 24 hour support and project activities.

We charge a flat, one-off Placement Fee of £125 GBP per person per course. This covers our costs for promoting the project and providing our services. We offer full pre-departure support (for all necessary flights, visas and vaccinations) and ongoing assistance throughout your placement.

What's not included:

Flights, insurance, visas (if applicable) and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these sorted.