Veterinary Academy: Sanctuary Horses to Zoo Animals

Arizona & Texas

Explore the rewarding world of rescue and rehabilitation as you work with rescued horses at an Arizona animal sanctuary before heading to a Texas zoo to care for exotic species. This powerful combination demonstrates the vital role veterinarians play in animal welfare, from individual rescue cases to species conservation efforts.

Prepare for the future

During week one in Arizona, you can look forward to:
  • Working alongside teaching and staff veterinarians at Gud Ark Animal Sanctuary, home to hundreds of rescued animals
  • Learning about horse anatomy and practicing safe handling techniques and conducting physical exams
  • 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 while learning about sanctuary operations and animal rehabilitation
During week two in Texas, you can look forward to:
  • Working alongside teaching and staff veterinarians at the Texas Zoo, in Victoria, TX
  • Participating in daily field classes on topics including large animal exams, rehabilitation and release, and designing animal enrichment activities
  • Learning about a diverse range of animals including birds, reptiles, and mammals from American Alligators to Black Bears
  • Researching and presenting your own Keeper Talk to zoo visitors on animal conservation topics

By attending Veterinary Academy: Sanctuary Horses to Zoo Animals, you can earn up to 80 veterinary hours, a required part of every vet school application.

2026 Program Dates & Tuition

  • 14 Days
  • June 21-July 4
  • $8,699

What’s Included

Transportation between program locations*

All meals

Comfortable
accommodations

10:1 teaching vet-to-student ratio

Up to 80 veterinary hours

*Transportation to the first program location and home from the final program location is the responsibility of the participant

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.

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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.