Here are some frequently asked questions on the subject of undertaking veterinary work experience in Africa.
Is this part of a university course?
Typically no. Volunteer veterinary work experience in Africa is work you undertake to do privately, at your own expense, in order to broaden your experience base and to provide you with access to exotic species. It may, however, prove useful as part of pre-vet school preparation and might look attractive on your CV when applying for places at university where competition may be intense.
What is involved in this type of work?
Usually it involves spending several weeks in Africa on a game reserve or endangered species centre, working alongside fully qualified rangers and vets who are dealing with sick and injured animals. This is real, hard and frequently dirty veterinary work experience! It’s also immensely enjoyable and offers the rare chance to work with non-domesticated animals.
Where are these opportunities based?
They may exist in a number of countries but South Africa is a well-known centre for these sorts of activities. The centres themselves are in several different locations.
Will I get ‘hands on’ with the animals?
Yes, though it’s important to remember that the emphasis here is on professional care and learning rather than ‘animal encounter’ type holidays. There may be interaction with different species at different times as dictated by their needs, and it might be difficult to guarantee exposure to a specific type of animal during any individual work-experience trip.
Are there dangers involved?
Any activity that involves close association with larger and undomesticated animals may inevitably involve a theoretical element of danger. However, you’ll be in the hands of expert rangers and vets who will be very keen to ensure your health and safety.
Is this all clinic-based?
No. You’ll typically get a lot of outdoor exposure through various trips and excursions.
Africa is all about experiencing the land, its people and wildlife in a single context – you wouldn’t be able to do that if all of your time was spent in a clinic.
Will I need inoculations?
You can consult the Government’s and the NHS web sites for up-to-date inoculation recommendations for South Africa or the country you’re visiting. Note that the recommendations may vary slightly, depending on whether you’re visiting urban or rural areas, and might also do so if you’ll be in close proximity to animals. Responsible organisations arranging such trips will also typically offer advice and guidance on the specifics here.
Are these younger groups?
As these trips are popular with people planning to study veterinary science, it’s probably fair to say that they tend to have a fairly young average age in terms of participants.
Note that some may have a minimum lower age limit of 18 and some might be slightly higher.
How can I find out more?
There are excellent providers of gap year opportunities for veterinary work experience type breaks on the internet.
Is this part of a university course?
Typically no. Volunteer veterinary work experience in Africa is work you undertake to do privately, at your own expense, in order to broaden your experience base and to provide you with access to exotic species. It may, however, prove useful as part of pre-vet school preparation and might look attractive on your CV when applying for places at university where competition may be intense.
What is involved in this type of work?
Usually it involves spending several weeks in Africa on a game reserve or endangered species centre, working alongside fully qualified rangers and vets who are dealing with sick and injured animals. This is real, hard and frequently dirty veterinary work experience! It’s also immensely enjoyable and offers the rare chance to work with non-domesticated animals.
Where are these opportunities based?
They may exist in a number of countries but South Africa is a well-known centre for these sorts of activities. The centres themselves are in several different locations.
Will I get ‘hands on’ with the animals?
Yes, though it’s important to remember that the emphasis here is on professional care and learning rather than ‘animal encounter’ type holidays. There may be interaction with different species at different times as dictated by their needs, and it might be difficult to guarantee exposure to a specific type of animal during any individual work-experience trip.
Are there dangers involved?
Any activity that involves close association with larger and undomesticated animals may inevitably involve a theoretical element of danger. However, you’ll be in the hands of expert rangers and vets who will be very keen to ensure your health and safety.
Is this all clinic-based?
No. You’ll typically get a lot of outdoor exposure through various trips and excursions.
Africa is all about experiencing the land, its people and wildlife in a single context – you wouldn’t be able to do that if all of your time was spent in a clinic.
Will I need inoculations?
You can consult the Government’s and the NHS web sites for up-to-date inoculation recommendations for South Africa or the country you’re visiting. Note that the recommendations may vary slightly, depending on whether you’re visiting urban or rural areas, and might also do so if you’ll be in close proximity to animals. Responsible organisations arranging such trips will also typically offer advice and guidance on the specifics here.
Are these younger groups?
As these trips are popular with people planning to study veterinary science, it’s probably fair to say that they tend to have a fairly young average age in terms of participants.
Note that some may have a minimum lower age limit of 18 and some might be slightly higher.
How can I find out more?
There are excellent providers of gap year opportunities for veterinary work experience type breaks on the internet.
