From website: http://www.ruralareavet.org/about.php
The Rural Area Veterinary Services program combines high quality direct-care veterinary field clinics with clinical experience for future veterinary professionals to expand access to veterinary care and improve the health and welfare of animals in underserved rural communities.
OUR VISION: An inspired veterinary profession with the knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care in any setting and the commitment to extend that care to all animals.
For more than two decades, the Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) program has worked to expand access to veterinary care in underserved rural communities where poverty and geographic isolation make regular animal health services unavailable.
RAVS’ veterinary teams have treated more than 135,000 animals, providing a range of services valued at more than $26 million - all at no cost to the clients or communities we serve. In addition, our field training programs have provided life-changing service-learning opportunities for more than 8,200 veterinary and veterinary technician students and professionals.
The RAVS program expands access to animal health resources via three interconnected approaches:
- Direct care veterinary services provide immediate response to relieve suffering and promote animal and community health.
- Clinical training and mentorship for veterinary professionals and students to increase awareness of the issues, provide relevant clinical experience and empower individuals to help shape effective solutions.
- Community development support and project facilitation builds local capacity for community-based animal care resources and sustainable service programs.
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and other support staff (other non-medical volunteers such as spouses who want to help do paper work)
The trip lead for every trip is a veterinarian.
Students are expected to be full engaged in clinic operations from approximately 6am-8pm each day, for 5 days. Students perform multiple spay/neuter surgeries daily from case start to finish- starting from premedication phase all the way through surgical recovery for each patient. Students attend different topic rounds at the start of each clinic morning and again at 8pm once clinics are finished. Students listen to various presentations given throughout the 5 days by directing staff. They also interact and teach members of the local tribe in each community about veterinary care. As a veterinary student your title on the trip is "student surgeon" for the duration of the 5 days.
Yes, housing is provided at location of the spay/neuter clinic.