Studies in animal behaviour
This veterinary internship abroad takes place in an animal shelter located in the heart of the Amazonian forest in the vicinity of Puyo. The centre collects animals that have been abused, orphaned or rescued from illegal trade in Ecuador. This project offers participants a unique opportunity to work with experts while studying wild species from the Amazon rainforest. They will benefit throughout the project from in-depth monitoring by experienced specialists, who will assess their progress.
University students must complete a certain number of hours in different areas to validate their veterinary internship abroad. The idea of the animal care placement is that they can spend their entire internship at the centre to gain experience with a local veterinarian and complete the required number of hours. Like all of our animal internship programs abroad , this project in Ecuador allows you to gain university credits while contributing to the protection of animals in the region.
The internship includes: placement on the mission, signature of the agreement with all the information required for the validation of the internship, follow-up by a professional veterinarian on site, intermediate evaluations, skills assessment and supervision on care acts.
The veterinary internship in Ecuador is similar to a training course. Interns can be students or have a professional profile. They will be involved in veterinary care, biology, rehabilitation of species in their habitat, etc. Rehabilitation activities include accompanying animals during the adaptation phase, planning, support and monitoring of reintroduced species.
As part of the veterinary internship, the tasks are more scientific and the students participate in research activities in different fields. The intern should be studying an animal-related subject such as veterinary medicine, biology, animal science, or environmental engineering. This internship allows you to acquire professional experience with competent and qualified people.
During part of the veterinary internship abroad, the students will follow theoretical courses in the morning and be in a real professional situation in the afternoon.
At the end of the internship, the students obtain a certificate indicating that they have completed their professional practice at the center and of course the validation of the skills of their internship tutor and the signing of their agreement.
Most students of veterinary medicine or biology have focused their studies on domestic animals. The real contribution of the veterinary internship in Ecuador is the opportunity to study a wide variety of wild animals, such as eagles, whales, turtles, birds, owls, crocodiles, ocelots, etc.
Every year about 600 animals arrive at the refuge in the Amazon. It is an ideal place to carry out an animal internship.
The participants of the veterinary internship abroad work in several centres, including the rehabilitation centre to reintroduce the animals into their natural habitat and monitor the place where they will be released.
The veterinary internship in Ecuador is similar to a training course. Interns can be students or have a professional profile. They will be involved in veterinary care, biology, rehabilitation of species in their habitat, etc. Rehabilitation activities include accompanying animals during the adaptation phase, planning, support and monitoring of reintroduced species.
As part of the veterinary internship, the tasks are more scientific and the students participate in research activities in different fields. The intern should be studying an animal-related subject such as veterinary medicine, biology, animal science, or environmental engineering. This internship allows you to acquire professional experience with competent and qualified people.
During part of the veterinary internship abroad, the students will follow theoretical courses in the morning and be in a real professional situation in the afternoon.
At the end of the internship, the students obtain a certificate indicating that they have completed their professional practice at the center and of course the validation of the skills of their internship tutor and the signing of their agreement.
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Most students of veterinary medicine or biology have focused their studies on domestic animals. The real contribution of the veterinary internship in Ecuador is the opportunity to study a wide variety of wild animals, such as eagles, whales, turtles, birds, owls, crocodiles, ocelots, etc.
Every year about 600 animals arrive at the refuge in the Amazon. It is an ideal place to carry out an animal internship.
The participants of the veterinary internship abroad work in several centres, including the rehabilitation centre to reintroduce the animals into their natural habitat and monitor the place where they will be released.
Founded 15 years ago by a local family, this shelter is part of a large-scale initiative to combat wildlife trafficking and abuse in Ecuador. The sanctuary currently hosts 40 different species of animals: ocelots, tayras, capybaras, parrots, monkeys and caimans among others.
This program is available for up to 24 weeks, Please contact us for rates and availability.
| Duration | Fees to be paid upon registration​ |
|---|---|
| 4 Weeks | 1838€ |
| 8 Weeks | 2938€ |
| 12 Weeks | 4088€ |
Housing is allocated by local NGOs, not by Freepackers - the descriptions are there to give you an idea of the type of accommodation, as it is very likely that conditions will vary on site depending on the number of volunteers, weather conditions, availability, etc. Each volunteer will be accommodated according to the stated conditions, but it is possible that the accommodation may not match the description or images shown on this site word for word, for example, in the case of annexed housing, renovations, relocations, etc.
Students are accommodated in chalets with dormitories that can accommodate up to 24 people in total. They are equipped with a common kitchen, a bathroom and a shared space with television and DVD player, hammocks and books. Bed linen is provided and you even have access to a swimming pool and a wi-fi connection. Accommodation is basic and it is your duty to keep your living space clean.
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Transport to the project:
This project is located 10 minutes from the village of Puyo, in the Amazon rainforest. From Quito, the bus trip takes about 4-5 hours.
On the project, you will receive three meals a day (Monday to Friday). However, you must organise your meals during the weekend. A fully equipped kitchen is at your disposal, or you can also dine out.
From Quito, it takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach Puyo. In Puyo, you will need to take a taxi to get to the project. The trip will take approximately 10 minutes and will cost you $3.00. The rest of the time the volunteers are housed at the project site.
Please contact the embassy or immigration website of the country you wish to enter.
You can find all ressources on the World Organization Website, in the Travel Advice section A vaccine vial.
