Veterinary Volunteer Programs and Internships in Latin America

Traveling to Latin America for a veterinary internship or volunteer program is an incredible way to gain hands-on animal care experience while exploring vibrant cultures. Whether you’re a pre-vet student looking to boost your vet school application or a seasoned animal lover seeking to make a difference abroad, Latin America offers diverse opportunities – from wildlife conservation in the jungles to clinic work in bustling cities. 

In this guide, we highlight top-rated organizations and programs that combine veterinary work with an unforgettable travel adventure. Read on to discover how you can work with animals in Latin America and grow your skills as an aspiring veterinarian.

Veterinary Internships – Top Program Providers

For those pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, structured internships provide supervised, educational experiences in real veterinary settings. These programs often cater to pre-vet and veterinary students (and even professionals) who want to shadow licensed vets, assist with treatments, and learn about animal care practices abroad. 

Here are some leading providers of veterinary internships, offering placements across Latin America:

Maximo Nivel

Maximo Nivel is renowned for its international education and internship programs. Founded in 2003, they have trained and placed over 25,000 students and volunteers abroad.

Their veterinary and animal care internships in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru allow participants to gain practical skills working with rescue centers, dog shelters, and even small zoos. Interns engage in tasks like providing medical care and daily husbandry for animals, all while improving Spanish language skills and receiving mentorship from an international internship advisor. 

Intern Abroad HQ 

Intern Abroad HQ specializes in affordable, customizable internships around the world, including Latin America. 

In San Ignacio, Belize, you’ll assist vets with routine exams, animal rehab and rural outreach clinics in an English-speaking setting. In Córdoba, Argentina, you’ll support both government and private clinics — diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating pets and livestock — alongside mandatory Spanish lessons and intercultural seminars. And in San Ramón, Costa Rica, you’ll shadow local veterinarians through surgeries, diagnostics and daily care in a busy animal hospital. 

Each placement combines hands-on veterinary experience with cultural immersion, helping you develop practical skills and global confidence.

Projects Abroad 

Gain veterinary experience in Córdoba, Argentina, by dividing your time between a dog shelter and a veterinary clinic. 

At the shelter, you’ll care for rescued dogs — feeding, washing, socializing and assisting with vaccinations — while supporting adoption events that find them loving homes. In the clinic, you’ll shadow veterinarians, observe diagnoses and treatments, and under supervision help administer medications and wound care. 

This year-round placement provides hands-on learning, host-family accommodation and round-the-clock support from Projects Abroad staff.

Animal Care Volunteering – Unique Opportunities for Animal Lovers

Not every animal lover needs a formal internship – volunteer programs can be just as rewarding and educational. Many organizations offer animal care and conservation projects in Latin America that, while not explicitly “veterinary” internships, still allow you to work closely with animals. 

Here are the top volunteer program providers that will appeal to vet-minded travelers:

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

International Volunteer HQ, founded in 2007, has connected over 130,000 travelers with affordable, responsible volunteer projects worldwide. A new animal volunteering program has just opened up in the Oaxacan coast of Mexico!

Support development and conservation in San José Manialtepec, Mexico with IVHQ’s Horse Care & Village Support program. Volunteers work up to 6 hours a day, 5 days per week. You’ll feed and groom horses, lead eco-tours, restore habitats, clean beaches, and run cultural and environmental workshops while living with a local host family.

GoEco 

GoEco invites volunteers to contribute to other conservation efforts across Latin America. A standout program is the Ecuador Wild Animal Rescue Shelter Volunteer. Spend three to 12 weeks in Puyo preparing meals, feeding and caring for injured Amazon wildlife, maintaining enclosures, and assisting veterinarians. 

You’ll live in rustic cabins with fellow volunteers, fully immersed in hands-on rainforest conservation.

Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) 

Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) is a nonprofit organization known for affordable, grassroots volunteer experiences in dozens of countries. At the Wild Animal Clinic & Rehabilitation Centre in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, volunteers assist vets to rescue, rehabilitate, and release endangered wildlife. Duties include administering medications, neonatal care, diet prep, enclosure maintenance, and data collection. 

You’ll work on a conservation farm, join rescue and release teams, and stay in shared volunteer dorms with 24/7 local support.

Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)

Volunteering Solutions is another excellent provider with a strong presence in Latin America and a reputation for affordability. Founded in 2007, VolSol has placed over 17,000 volunteers on projects across 27 countries. 

Volunteer at a renowned puma sanctuary near Córdoba, Argentina, and help protect pumas, eagles, ferrets, and monkeys. Support habitat restoration, construction, and animal handling. You’ll live onsite, collaborate with global volunteers, and develop conservation skills in trail maintenance, enclosure upkeep, and environmental education — all while immersed in the breathtaking Andes landscape.

GVI (Global Vision International) 

GVI is known for its ethically minded, award-winning volunteer programs across the globe. 

Wild Cat Conservation in Costa Rica invites volunteers for one to 12 weeks at the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, contributing 35 fieldwork hours per week. You’ll set up camera traps, survey habitats, and monitor ocelots, margays, jaguarundis, and more. 

Live in lowland rainforest, learn species identification and data collection methods, and support ethical conservation alongside local experts and international peers.

Start Your Latin American Animal-Care Journey

A veterinary internship or volunteer placement in Latin America will challenge you, inspire you, and expand your horizons. From the rainforests of Costa Rica to the urban shelters of Córdoba, you’ll gain real-world animal care experience under expert supervision — and you’ll forge connections with local staff, fellow volunteers, and the animals themselves. 

This journey offers both professional growth and cultural immersion, helping you become a more compassionate, skilled veterinarian. Your next adventure is calling — embrace the chance to learn, grow, and contribute in some of the world’s most dynamic ecosystems.