Veterinary Internship in South Africa

Project Summary

We will be running special sessions for advanced vet students to experience what it’s like to be a vet in South Africa. If you are a second or third-year vet student, this internship is perfect for you!

You will have the opportunity to work on wildlife and experience game capture, as well as work with small animals in a community setting, and also handle care for agricultural livestock. All three components of the internships will be addressed equally.

The vet student sessions are small with a maximum of 7 to 8 students per sessions. With small groups, you will benefit from intensive mentor sessions and a lot more hands-on practical experience than you would otherwise.

You will be supervised by a highly trained and qualified individual with experience in Zoology, conservation management and specifically trained for dealing with dangerous species.

Students will work in various reserves, farms and rural villages and are mobilized where the work is. This impressive game reserve is situated in the Eastern Cape (85 km out of Port Elizabeth towards Grahamstown) and spans over 6,000 hectares. 

Why choose this project?

Veterinary Science internship abroad will enhance your practical experience in the field. Gaining veterinary work experience and skills in the developing world will enhance your resume/CV when it’s time for you to enter the job market. You will be able to learn new skills and experience a different type of veterinarian care. This is also a great way to combine traveling abroad and studying.

The Internship

During your internship, you will work with a local dedicated vet as a mentor. You will get some hands-on learning experience while working in an African veterinary environment. During the three weeks internship, you will be involved in three main areas split equally: wildlife, community vet practices and agriculture livestock. You will be involved with some of the following:
 

• Immobilisations, transportation and release of wildlife species.
• Wildlife identification and games counts
• Darting and assist administering with anti-parasitic drugs on a variety of animals
• Preventative treatment of endo- and ectoparasites for animals within reserves boundaries.
• Mental and physical treatments and care for captive wild animals
• Conservation, hunting and the five freedoms
• Small animal care in low-income communities
• Wound care, follow-ups and community education on handling pets
• Surgical observations
• Livestock and large animal aspect of veterinary work including cattle, sheep and equine
• Abattoirs and disease control

Skills Required

This veterinary internship is designed for second and third-year vet students. No first-year students allowed. Students participating in this internship must be flexible with the type of animals they will be assisting with.

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