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VIDA Veterinary Medicine TeamsTrap/Neuter/Release
On the streets of Cartago, Costa Rica, Granada, Nicaragua, and Bocas del Toro, Panama there are thousands of homeless street dogs literally starving and covered in mange, fleas, and fungus. Many other animals suffer needlessly at the hands of their owners who lack education and understanding about providing proper care. VIDA educates pet owners about the importance of basic needs like access to water, food, and proper shelter and about the dangers in using tight collars and short ropes. VIDA also proudly provides free spay/neuter clinics available to the working poor and to street dogs in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama to help control pet overpopulation. Many animals in Central America receive no regular veterinary care. By partnering with communities in need and globally–minded volunteers, we are able to provide basic veterinary care, education, and free spay/neuter surgeries to the pets and livestock of the working poor through our veterinary mission trips. We aim to support other international nonprofits in their commitment to the communities they work in as well as provide support to remote and isolated communities. The VIDA Veterinary program is open to all Pre-Veterinarian and Veterinarian students; and all others who have an interest in Veterinary medicine. All others who are interested in animal welfare are encouraged to participate as well. VIDA currently offers Veterinary Teams in the following developing countries:
Your experience with VIDA will be a unique eye-opening, hands-on, mind-enriching experience of a lifetime in Veterinary Medicine where you will work side by side with highly qualified host country Veterinarians. The Veterinary Team service trips are offered several times a year when the minimum of 4 volunteers has been met per trip. (This program is offered in coordination with a VIDA medical group)
Special trips dedicated to Veterinary Medicine services only are offered when there are a minimum of 15 pre-veterinary/veterinary students. Normally any group of less than 15 will be offered in coordination with a medical group. All programs include a brief general orientation session that includes cultural, historical, social and political information about the host country as well as a review of program guidelines, staff introductions, review of itinerary, emergency protocols, etc. Participants receive program specific orientation in addition to the brief general orientation. VIDA offers one full day of orientation/training to prepare students for a truly “hands on” clinical experience. **Pre-Vet students will be required to study suture procedures, small animal anatomy, and observe 25 hours of spay/neuters prior to trip for those wishing to participate in surgery at the spay/neuter clinics. Basic Training Seminar and General Orientation
Overview of Tropical Veterinary Medicine The role of the veterinarian in developing countries Introduction to Costa Rican wildlife and biodiversity The importance of healthy livestock in developing countries General overview of feline/canine anatomy Field clinic and spay/neuter clinic overview Castration/sterilization procedures Suturing practicum Importance of Community Education/Public Health Overview of bovine/equine anatomy Introduction to Artificial Insemination practices in Central America Review of injection techniques with cows, horses, dogs, and cats Review of Standard Precaution Procedures and Hazardous Waste materials disposal. Overview of Pharmaceutical products Field Clinics
Volunteers will actively participate with an emphasis in a “hands on” experience in the following areas: Surgeries at our local spay/neuter clinics of dogs and cats. You will perform surgery, under the supervision and assistance of licensed host country veterinarians, you will not be just observing. Vaccinations of livestock (cows, horses, donkeys, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, etc) Immunizations for parasite management and nutrition supplements: in cows, horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, and other small species. Exciting field work with Exotic Wildlife of Costa Rica at local Wildlife Rescue Centers. Field clinics and Spay/Neuter clinics usually begin at 8:00 a.m. and end by 6:00 p.m. Spay/Neuter clinics will have a 1:5 ratio; 1 Veterinarian to no more than 5 students to maximize student participation and team work. Our clinics are held in community centers, private farms, schools, local ranches, and animal rescue centers in coordination with local community members and organizations. These settings may have latrines, no running water, no electricity, and exposure to dust, sun, and heat. Your clothing may become permanently stained or ruined during the trip due to exposure to blood and animal excrement.
We may use buses, 4x4’s, boats, horses, or canoes to access our field clinics. Participate in urgent care for wounded or injured animals. Perform public health or community veterinary screenings. Participants will engage in community education discussions to help promote public awareness when appropriate via translators. VIDA Veterinary staff are highly qualified, bilingual professionals who are licensed to practice Veterinary medicine. A dynamic and highly experienced bilingual Team Leader will guide the group and accompany the group to field clinics, evening outings, and recreation days. Highly qualified bilingual Assistant Team Leaders and translators will travel with the team and be available as needed. Participants will always be supervised by local host county professionals. Tours of local dairy farms, cattle ranches, snake milking farm, animal shelters, and wildlife rescue centers can be arranged upon group request. Citizens of the U.S.A., Canada, and E.U.do not need visas to enter Costa Rica, Nicaragua, or Panama. All other individuals should inquire about needed visas in the nearest consulate of the country they wish experience their VIDA adventure. Please allow 30 to 60 days for this process. What does my VIDA Veterinary Medicine service trip include?
Next: Veterinary Team Trip Preparation Guidelines
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Costa Rica
Nicaragua 
Panamá
México (2009) 
Honduras (2009) 
Guatemala (2009) 
