Dog Sanctuary &
Wildlife Rescue
Go behind-the-scenes at one of the most famous stray dog sanctuaries in the world, home to over 1,800 former strays.
During your week in the picturesque mountains of Costa Rica, you’ll learn about typical stray animal care procedures, practice your clinical skills, and enjoy daily walks with the dogs.
Prepare for the future
- Participating in clinical lab rotations to practice skills like using the microscope to conduct ear & skin cytologies activities
- Creating post-surgery care plans for dogs recovering from procedures, including spay and neuter surgeries
- Performing diagnostic testing to ensure the safety and well-being of all animals in recovery
By attending Dog Sanctuary & Wildlife Rescue, you can earn up to 40 veterinary hours, a required part of every vet school application.
2024 Program Dates & Tuition
- 8 Days
- July 6–July 13
- $5,595
What’s Included
Authentic, local meals
Comfortable Accommodations
10:1 Teaching Vet-to-Student Ratio
Up to 40 veterinary hours
Round trip airfare*
*Roundtrip airfare from the designated international airport hub is included. Any travel costs from your location to that hub are not included.
Program Highlights
Lecture & Lab Rotations
Rotating through different activities in small groups, you’ll practice clinical skills including safe handling and restraint, canine anatomy, injection and catheter placement, and proper surgery prep techniques.
Cultural Immersion
After a full day of learning, you can look forward to a fun, culturally enriching group activity, from taking a dance lesson with a local instructor to a Spanish trivia game to an art project inspired by the motifs of Costa Rica.
Spay and Neuter Project
On your final program day, you will assist the clinic veterinarians and professional staff to provide a free spay and neuter clinic for the pets of local community members.
Wildlife Rescue Visit
You’ll spend one full day visiting the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, a rehabilitation center and sanctuary for injured wildlife. Rescate takes in over 2,700 wild animals every year, from jaguars and sloths to birds and reptiles.
Your Adventure, Day by Day
Day 1
Arrival in Houston
Day 2
Journey to Costa Rica
Day 3
Welcome to the Land of the Strays
Day 4
Domesticated Animal Care
Day 5
Rescate Rescue Center
Day 6
Hike with Dogs
Day 7
Spay and Neuter Project
Day 8
Departure
Image Gallery
What some of our students and their parents are saying…
Dr. Marisa was such a good teacher and vet. She worked with all of us as individuals and I truly felt she cared.”
This was the best, life changing experience. I loved the staff and other students. Overall, I learned many useful skills.”
Want to learn more? Fill out this form to schedule a call with one of our advisors
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For the safety of students, staff, and animals, not all animals may be touched or handled by participants. The teaching veterinarian and other professional staff members will advise students of the proper time, place, and method to handle animals when it is safe to do so.