Vida’s International Veterinary Training Center (IVTC) in Costa Rica offers veterinary students an amazing opportunity to enhance their surgical skills and improve their confidence though providing high quality and ethical spay and neuters while helping local animals in need. All services are provided free-of-charge to local animal shelters. IVTC externs will master their skills in performing physical examinations and patient surgical preparation, including pre-medication, IV catheter placement and endotracheal intubation. Externs will monitor patients during anesthesia and participate actively in spay and neuter procedures and recovery. There will also be time to explore Costa Rica’s amazing biodiversity, visit local animal shelters and practice wildlife medicine.
Key takeaways: one-on-one hands on learning experience in a controlled, motivating and supportive environment; proficiency in performing minimally invasive spay and neuter surgeries; population control; and, familiarity with shelter and wildlife medicine.
Our training center is equipped with gas anesthesia machine for all surgical procedures and basic diagnostic equipment. Externs will work directly with our experienced doctors who will supervise and monitor externs throughout their customized learning experience while allowing ample time to practice their newly acquired skills.
Students will work from approximately 8 am to 5 pm 4 days a week in the clinic or on shelter and wildlife days and are expected to arrive on time. They will be responsible for all aspects of the clinic patients undergoing surgery. This includes cleaning cages, feeding, physical exams, assisting surgery, anesthesia and recovery.
Externships range from $1350.00 per person (group of three) to $2,045.00 for a private session. These prices include lodging, most meals, airport transfers, all surgical materials and veterinary staff.