This is not officially a global engagement opportunity yet, but meets the criteria. Eileen traveled to Guatemala with FARVets, where she and 5 other students (from Cornell University) worked with Fantasma Animal Rescue to sterilize dogs and cats from the community. Other operations such as mass removals and hernia repairs were also performed as needed. Many were privately owned, some were stray animals. The students performed anesthesia and monitoring, were the primary surgeons, and also helped recovery the animals. Six students were overseen by 2 veterinarians. The animals were also vaccinated, treated for fleas, etc.
FARVets provided all equipment and supplies for the clinic. Different from many experiences within the USA, no gas anesthesia was available, so animals received IV catheters for maintenance of total injectable anesthesia. There was no autoclave available, so surgical instruments were sterilized in a Benzall "cold sterile" bath. The clinic was staffed by 6 veterinary students, 2 veterinarians, the owners of the rescue group (locals in the town), and numerous volunteers.
Students were responsible for examining/weighing the animals, calculating anesthetic doses, placing IV catheters, calculating IV fluid drip rates, monitoring anesthesia, intubation, being primary or assistant surgeons for spays and neuters and occasional other procedures, recovering animals from anesthesia, washing instruments, maintaining clinic organization and cleanliness, etc. The days were long, starting at 7:30am and ending between 7-11pm.
The cost of the trip was $800/student, NOT including airfare. However, this $800 fee included food and housing, free-day activities, in addition to clinic supplies. Four people slept in each bungalow (1-2 people per bed) and the bungalow was a short walk from the daily clinic location. Drinking water, hot water for showers, and wifi were all available at the bungalows and included in the fees.