Veterinary Academy: Horses & Large Animals
Spend a week in sunny Maricopa, Arizona working with and learning from teaching and staff veterinarians at the Gud Ark Animal Sanctuary, home to hundreds or rescued animals. This program will focus on the anatomy, behavior, and veterinary care of horses and large animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. You’ll also have the opportunity to spend time learning about animals from birds to reptiles to small mammals like guinea pigs and rabbits in a hands-on environment.
Prepare for the future
- Shadowing a working veterinarian as they care for rescued horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and other animals and teach you safe handling techniques, how to perform physical exams, and preventive medicine
- Participating in clinical lab rotations to practice skills like suturing, injection techniques, and bandaging wounds
- Providing enrichment and care to a variety of rescued animals including mammals, reptiles, and birds
By attending Veterinary Academy: Horses & Large Animals, you can earn up to 40 veterinary hours, a required part of every vet school application.
2026 Program Dates & Tuition
- 7 Days
- June 28-July 4
- $3,799
What’s Included
All Meals
Comfortable Accommodations
10:1 Teaching Vet-to-Student Ratio
Up to 40 Veterinary Hours
College credit is included with tuition. Students attending high school Veterinary Academy programs are eligible to receive college credit(s) through George Mason University. Credits are included in the cost of tuition and are awarded for successful completion of the program and credit requirements. Learn more.
Program Highlights
Animal Rescue
See how an animal rescue is operated and participate in hands-on experience on animals, including performing physical exams, practicing bandaging techniques, and identifying signs of illness or prior medical conditions.
Clinical Skills
Learn from your teaching veterinarian as you practice vital skills, including using a microscope to conduct blood smear examinations, calculating prescription dosages, and proper suturing techniques.
Anatomy Mastery
Study the anatomy of horses, cattle, small ruminants, other mammals, reptiles, and birds to understand how anatomical differences influence exam techniques and lead to certain medical conditions.
Animal Care
Practice proper grooming techniques, monitoring vital health markers, and performing other necessary tasks for animal care.
Your Adventure, Day by Day
Day 1
Arrive in Arizona
Day 2
Welcome to Gud Ark Sanctuary
Day 3
Lab & Learning Rotations I
Day 4
Lab & Learning Rotations II
Day 5
Lab & Learning Rotations III
Day 6
Animal Care Pathways
Day 7
Departure Day
Image Gallery
What some of our students and staff are saying…
This trip was truly life changing. I loved the people and staff and connected with them in a way I didn’t see happening.”
My son was able to have a wonderful experience learning meaningful things while having fun with his new friends.”
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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.