Humanitarian Opportunities?

[Quelimane]

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Dunno if this is the right forum, but since I'm still pre-vet I figured I'd post it here.

So there are about a million different humanitarian organizations that a human doctor can participate in, but are there any humanitarian (faunaitarian?) aid opportunities for a veterinarian or vet school student? Whether it be actually going into the field and training other vets or just donating supplies and equipment. I've done a little bit of googling but couldn't find anything. Anyone know of any?

 

[rexosaurus]

There are several organizations that allow a student to go overseas and "work" in another country for researches. For example, there are many PhD students that need people to do work for them in places like Costa Rica. You go there, they feed you and board you, and you work for them. There are many different timelines. There are also places in Africa where you can go for several weeks or several months and work on animal sanctuaries, as well as philanthropic aspects such as helping teach the local children about conservation.

I understand the examples are out of the country, but those are the only ones I know enough of to post. Google "Worldwide Experience", you should find some info on this website. Hope this helps!

 

[WannaFixFounder]

Even better, there are many local non profits that you can volunteer for and gain a wealth of experiences and education.

 

[rexosaurus]

WannaFixFounder, do you have any concrete examples? I think the OP knows there are opportunities, but may have been looking for a little more detail.

 

[WannaFixFounder]

Harrison Memorial Hospital in Denver

 

[rexosaurus]

Quelimane, where are you located? There may be some people on here that live in your area and my be able to better give you an idea of the local options 🙂

 

[ShelterGirl]

In my area, we have:

- Multiple feral cat spay/neuter clinics
- Multiple animal shelters and rescues
- Zoos
- A marine wildlife center
- A (terrestrial) wildlife center
- Free clinics for homeless people's pets

Also, there are RAVS trips where you go to a community and perform numerous spays/neuters over the course of a few days. Those are all over the country, run by the HSUS I believe.

 

[Quelimane]

Actually, oversea stuff is what I'm most interested in. I probably should have specified. I'm currently volunteering at a vet clinic and zoo, but I was wondering if there was anything specifically for licensed veterinarians (like a Doctors without Borders sort of thing, where you have to be a trained professional to participate).

I'll definitely check out the suggestions so far. And if anyone has any others, keep 'em coming!

 

[pitbull lover]

There are veterinary opportunities such as Vets beyond borders and Worldvets.org that will take volunteers with animal experience (animal handling, vet tech, veterinarian, etc). It looks like a great opportunity but it does cost money.🙁 I believe I will end up doing something like this in vet school or after; it seems like you could be a contribution and help some animals out.🙂

 

[starlene45]

Hey

Has anyone on here done any of the World Vets trips??

They have some in mexico for s/n clinics that I think look really fun, so I'm thinking about joining, even though you have to pay $40... They say if you join you definitely defintely get a space on a trip at some point...

I have some RAVS hookups through friends-of-friends and my VETSOS boss, but it seems kinda tricky to get into a RAVS trip and they don't have many available right now.

So anyway I am wondering if anyone's had experience with either organization!!😀

 

[BrumleyVet]

I did a RAVS trip awhile ago. You just need to keep an eye on their website for their trip posting. If you are still pre-vet, email them and tell them what your experience level is -they classify you differently. The listing on the website is for the Vet students who do the surgeries - that number is limited.

 

[Truth74]

I did a RAVS trip awhile ago. You just need to keep an eye on their website for their trip posting. If you are still pre-vet, email them and tell them what your experience level is -they classify you differently. The listing on the website is for the Vet students who do the surgeries - that number is limited.

I did RAVS trips last year and the year before that. It is just checking the site often. The trips fill up within hours of the schedule going up. Being a non-vet student volunteer made it a lot easier to get on a trip.

 

[starlene45]

Thanks for the info! Maybe I'll try to talk to Dr Scarlett directly and let her know I'm interested in a US trip and what my experience is... And I'll definitely make the RAVS website a bookmark!

Did you guys enjoy your trips? Where did you go? Feel free to pm me or post here, I'm interested in what you did 😎

 

[BrumleyVet]

There is a thread on the Vet Forum here that goes a bit deeper. IM me if you want.

 

[Jochebed]

Also, check out Christian Veterinary Mission (www.cvmusa.org). They organize missions trips to many countries around the world. You do have to raise your own funding, but they have short term trips (3 weeks) for vet techs, vet students and veterinarians. As a 4th year student, your 3 week short term trip may even count as a rotation! Go help needy people and needy animals AND get credit for it. 🙂