About the Program
Use your skills to gain international experience in veterinary medicine in the Caribbean. Assist with operations and procedures, support vets with their duties and provide care and affection to animals who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.
Sadly, it is not uncommon to find abused, neglected or abandoned animals in areas affected by poverty, and there are very few organisations dedicated to rescuing these animals. V2 Volunteers & Vacations has developed partnerships with veterinary clinics in Tobago who need helping hands to effectively carry out their duties. You will help by feeding the animals, performing basic health checks on the animals, provide them with affection and company and carry out rescue missions to save abused animals.
If you have been studying veterinary science, you can join us on our veterinary assistant program and receive invaluable first-hand experience of veterinary practice in the developing world. Our partner organisation is an Associate Member of the RSPCA working to cure and rehabilitate injured and mistreated animals in Tobago.
Webinar
Volunteers are encouraged to think about their time overseas and how they can adapt to the culture where they will be staying. The webinar is a chance for volunteers to ask any questions and for us to address any concerns before the adventure begins.
Orientation upon Arrival
Volunteers will have a one day orientation session that will cover the following topics:
- How to adapt to a new culture and understand cultural differences
- Local knowledge (local amenities, language skills, and embassies & consulates)
- Personal safety and crime awareness
- Crisis management, including how to handle medical emergencies, security risks, and natural disasters
- V2 policies including complaints and code of conduct
- Specific training for volunteering role
Both V2 and our partner organisation will support you throughout your placement. V2 conducts Health and Safety checks to ensure that volunteers are placed in a suitable and safe working environment. Our partner organisation will provide orientation and training sessions on arrival so that you will feel comfortable carrying out your duties. Each volunteer will be assigned a Mentor/Project Supervisor to guide them through everything they need to know.
Safety
At V2, we take safety seriously. The V2 team are very well-acquainted with the islands we operate on and the highest priority for our local staff is volunteer safety. Their job is to ensure that risk assessment and health and safety checks are conducted before volunteers are placed. We conduct three main risk assessments:
- Accommodation
- Placement organisation
- Third party providers
Carrying out these assessments helps V2 identify risks and mitigate their impact. These are reviewed after all V2 Experiences and any findings that may impact the success of our operations are addressed.
By the end of one of these placements you will have:
- hands-on experience in the field of animal care and veterinary medicine
- a better understanding of animal care in an international environment and the different regional approaches to veterinary medicine
- raised awareness about responsible animal care in the local community
- helped many local, wonderful animals in need!
Typical day
- Basic animal training
- Community outreach and educational programmes
- Feeding, walking, and exercising the animals
- Rescuing animals
- Undertaking basic health checks on animals
- Carrying out health checks on animals
- Conducting medical procedures and treatments
- Rescuing animals
- Promoting animal welfare
- Assisting Veterinary Surgeon with medical procedures and treatments.
- Carrying out health checks on animals
- Conducting minor procedures
- Rescuing animals
Free-time activities
V2 organises trips that showcase the best of Tobagonian culture. Volunteers trek through the island's lush tropical rainforest, explore the spectacular Buccoo Bay coral reef, and can take a relaxing dip in Nylon Pool, amongst other options. We are always on the look out for new trips and excursions and we are open to suggestions from volunteers. We can also help volunteers organise solo trips, if they wish.
Program Requirements
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
Accommodation - Meals - In-country transportation - Tours - Leisure activities - 24 hour support from the V2 team on the island - Pre-departure webinars - Full orientation when you arrive - Mobile phone to use during your stay - Recommendation letter that can be used to support future job or college applications
We provide airport transfers. Once you have confirmed your booking with us and booked your flights, let us know when you arrive and we will make sure that one of our team are there to greet you in a bright green V2 t-shirt!
We house our volunteers in carefully selected guesthouses or with local families who have been fully vetted for safety and comfort. All of our accommodations have internet, so that you can keep in touch with loved ones back home.
We provide fresh, homemade breakfast and dinner as part of the price. We do not provide lunch but there are plenty of inexpensive options in the area, and we make sure to provide you with snacks. We can cater to any dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan, and any allergies or religious requirements.
Program Fees
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