Horse & Large Animal Medicine
Head for the hills of beautiful Belize when you shadow a working veterinarian as they treat various animals on local farms around San Ignacio.
You can look forward to learning about the basics of farm upkeep, including for horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. You’ll also assist the vet in providing care to the animals, from giving vaccinations to treating palpitations and monitoring pregnant animals.
Prepare for the future
- Shadowing a working veterinarian as they travel to local farms and treat a wide variety of animals
- Learning about the cultural importance of farming in Belize, including Maya, Mestizo, Kriol and more
- Enjoying field visits to the Belize Raptor Center and the Green Iguana Project
By attending Horse & Large Animal Medicine, you can earn up to 40 veterinary hours, a required part of every vet school application.
2024 Program Dates & Tuition
Full for 2024
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
Large Animal Medicine
You’ll get hands-on practice in your stable-side manner as you learn large animal examination techniques at working ranches and farms around San Ignacio. You’ll learn about caring for horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, and pigs.
Agriculture in Belize
Belize is well known for its animal diversity and ecological progressivity. Many different cultures in Belize have impacted farming approaches, from the Maya to the Mennonite to the Garifuna and Kriol.
Cultural Immersion
You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Xunantunich Archeological reserve, enjoy a cultural dance and drumming lesson with a local instructor, and learn how to make delicious chocolate.
The Belize Raptor Center
The Belize Raptor Center is dedicated to the conservation of raptors and their natural habitats. This program rescues and rehabilitates these injured or orphaned birds of prey with the goal of releasing the animal back into the wild.
Your Adventure, Day by Day
Day 1
Arrival in Miami
Day 2
Journey to Belize
Day 3
Orientation to Belize
Day 4
Belize Raptor Center & Xunantunich Archeological Reserve
Day 5
Green Iguana Project
Day 6
Dairy Farm Tours
Day 7
Dairy Farm Tours, continued
Day 8
Final Practical Rotation
Day 9
Departure Day
Image Gallery
What some of our students and their parents are saying…
My experience in Costa Rica was eye-opening, insightful, and enriching. I now feel more confident in my future academic ventures.”
Getting to know other people who are wanting to go into the same career as you and getting to work with them” was the most meaningful part of the program.”
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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.