Veterinary Work Experience & Animal Internships

A Veterinary Internship with Projects Abroad gives you the skills and clinical experience you need to turn your passion for animals into a career. We offer safe, hassle-free projects for every level, including students looking for pre-vet volunteer opportunities and graduates interested in vet work experience placements.

This is what you can expect from our veterinary internships abroad:

Learn directly from qualified vets with a diverse range of experience
Work with a variety of animals, including domestic, farm, and wild animals
Experience what day-to-day life is like at a veterinary clinic, shelter, or rehabilitation centre
Get a deeper insight into the challenges animals face around the world

Our veterinary placements are ideal for anyone asking themselves “How do I get veterinary experience?” If you’re interested in pre-veterinary internships abroad, you’ll get an idea of what it’s really like to work as a vet. This can help you decide if a career in veterinary medicine is really for you.

We also go a step further at our animal volunteer abroad projects. Around the world, animals can find themselves in distress or pain, without people to care for them. With us, you’ll be able to raise awareness on the need for ethical treatment of animals. You’ll do things like educate pet owners or farmers on how to better care for their animals.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom project for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re well placed to answer your questions, big or small.

09 801 2518

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How do I get veterinary work experience?

If you're looking to gain veterinary work experience, our programmes are a perfect fit. They can be tailored according to your level of education, and where you are in your career. Furthermore, you can also join as a pre-vet student as we don't always require you to have previous experience. This because you'll work under supervision alongside professionals, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know. You can join a veterinary medicine internship abroad from the age of 16.

In every country we work in, our interns take on an important role for caring for animals in need. You’ll find yourself working with domestic pets, farm animals, and wildlife; some of which you may never encounter in your home country! This kind of diverse experience is invaluable, and helps build a strong foundation for a career in veterinary medicine. You can talk about your project in university applications, admissions essays, and during interviews.

Interested in going beyond traditional veterinary practice work experience? You may be interested in these options:

Combine volunteering with horses and working with special needs children on our Equine Therapy Project in Argentina (chat to us directly if you want to organise equine veterinary internships for undergraduates)
Volunteer abroad as a pre-vet student at a renowned wildlife rehabilitation centre in the middle of the jungle in Peru, and work with animals like spider monkeys
Protect endangered species in incredible ecosystems around the world through our Wildlife Conservation Projects

See a full list of our internships abroad. You can also read our blog about our best animal volunteer abroad projects.

I saw a lot of different conditions in the clinic. I have seen everything from castrations and tumors to new-born puppies and teeth polishing. I learnt so much and it was such an experience. - Anna T, Combined Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care in Argentina

Work Experience for Veterinary Medicine: Year Round

Two Veterinary Medicine interns examine a puppy during an outreach in rural Ghana.

Our veterinary experience opportunities run for as short as one week during the winter and summer (in fact, they run all year round!) Our flexible programmes can be adjusted to fit the busiest schedules, so you can choose when you want to travel.

Whether you want pre-vet programmes abroad, or the chance to volunteer abroad with animals, we have something for you. For example, you can learn how to administer vaccinations for farm animals in Sri Lanka.

What are the benefits of a veterinary internship abroad?

A veterinary internship abroad gives you skills that prepare you for your next stage of education and career. This is especially important for young students looking for internships to support their university applications.

Here are just some of the benefits that our previous interns talk about:

Soft skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, resilience, organising, planning, and time management
Clinical work experience in veterinary medicine and animal care
The chance to work with different animals and challenges you wouldn’t encounter in your home country
The ability to work and empathise with people of different cultures and backgrounds, helping to develop a ‘global mindset’
Confidence from pushing past your comfort zone

All of the above will enhance your CV and your personal development.

While I was there, I saw a couple of minor surgeries including an ear hematoma and the removal of a large abscess on the neck of a dog. My favourite part of my placement was getting to see patients going home healthy again. Having been there two weeks I was able to follow the cases and watch over the animals as they recovered. I got quite attached to some of the inpatients! - Charlotte S, Veterinary Medicine in Ghana

How are our veterinary internships abroad different?

At Projects Abroad, our first aim is to benefit the animals we work with. You can be assured that our animal internships are ethical and well supported.

Be fully supported by staff

On these projects, you’ll work alongside professionals. You can observe them in their everyday work, ask questions and hear more about their experiences. You’ll also be part of a wider network of interns. In each project, there is a full-time member of staff who job it is to support our interns.

Projects that have an impact

All our projects are well researched, targeted and sustainable. We aim to make a difference to the local community for the long term. You’ll be able to see the difference your time can have on individuals and a community.

I was so surprised at how much the horses could help with so many disabilities. The calming affect they had on everyone who rode them was inexplicable. They also helped with motor exercises, getting more in touch with human emotions and, overall, the happiness. The children counted down the days until they got to ride again and you could see the difference it made for them. - Katharine P, Equine Therapy in Argentina