Location: Thomas River, Cathcart, South Africa
Duration: 2-3 weeks (You choose)
Animal types: Small livestock, large livestock, African wildlife and small animals (dogs and cats optional)
Experience: None to Qualified
Anyone with a passion for animals is welcome — including aspiring students, pre-veterinary students, vet nursing/tech students, animal enthusiasts, qualified vet nurses/techs, veterinarians, and even farmers, livestock producers, or farm managers seeking practical skills and experience
Program Combination Options: Can be combined with any of the programs listed on this website!
About the South African Veterinary Training and Research Immersion
An intensive 2–3 week program combining livestock, equine, small animal, and wildlife veterinary medicine with active research in parasitology and endangered species conservation.
Work alongside three South African veterinarians and other animal health professionals, gaining hands-on experience across multiple species while contributing to two ongoing research projects. Participants rotate daily between farms, clinics, fieldwork, and community activities, ensuring exposure to the full scope of veterinary medicine in South Africa.
What to Expect
1) Farm Work & Livestock Medicine
While students stay on a sheep and horse farm, most of the program is spent traveling daily to different farms across the Eastern Cape. Every farm has unique goals and management systems — from dairy and meat production to breeding operations. Students gain practical skills in pregnancy testing, artificial insemination, herd health, parasite control, and preventative care, while comparing practices across farms.
2) Work with Different Professionals Every Day
Students learn from a variety of experts — veterinarians, physiotherapists, researchers, farmers, and farm managers. In South Africa, farmers manage much of the routine animal health care themselves, so even with a farm manager students gain hands-on practice injecting, treating, and handling animals. This diversity of learning provides a well-rounded view of animal health and veterinary practice beyond traditional shadowing.
3) Community & Cultural Exchange
Visit a local school, assist with community needs, and learn basic Xhosa language. These activities provide cultural immersion and insight into rural South African life while strengthening ties between animal health, education, and community development.
4) Wildlife Veterinary Medicine
Take part in a 2–3 day wildlife chemical immobilization and capture course, working with a wildlife veterinarian and professional capture team. Assist in darting, treating, relocating, and monitoring wildlife during immobilizations — a thrilling, uniquely South African conservation experience. (This course is led by a new veterinarian and team, created exclusively for this program.)
5) Veterinary Physiotherapy
Work with a veterinary physiotherapist who treats cattle, horses, and dogs. Learn rehabilitation and recovery techniques, a specialized skillset rarely available to students abroad.
6) Small Animal Clinical Work (Optional)
Students who want more small animal exposure can rotate through a veterinary clinic. Under supervision, you’ll observe and assist with consultations, surgeries, and patient care.
7) Research & Conservation Projects
Barberpole Worm (Haemonchus) Project – Assist in parasite prevalence studies, collect dung samples, and learn parasite management in small stock.
Cape Parrot Conservation – Travel to the scenic Hogsback Mountains, attend conservation lectures, and help monitor endangered Cape Parrots in their natural forest habitat.
8) Safaris & Sightseeing
Beyond veterinary training, students also enjoy safaris and sightseeing excursions included in the program. This is your chance to relax, explore, and experience South Africa’s incredible wildlife and landscapes during off-time activities.
9) Professional & Cultural Engagement
Throughout the program, participants engage with veterinarians, farmers, managers, researchers, and community members. This variety of mentorship and cultural immersion provides a comprehensive understanding of animal health, farming practices, and conservation in South Africa.
DATES
You Choose 2 or 3 weeks
The vet experience course starts on Monday morning and runs every day! “Off time” and fun activities such as site seeing and Safaris are INCLUDED in the program. We ask you to arrive on Mondays and depart Mondays.
Program runs March-November every year! Please contact us for exact dates
Prices
We are still booking participants for 2026
NO APPLICATION REQUIRED- No complicated applications. Just an eager attitude, willingness to learn and a spirit for adventure!
Please fill out the contact form below so I can email you the PDF and Flyer with all the information including prices, dates, accommodation, activities and more.
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Veterinary experience
Subjects & Skills Covered
During the program, students are exposed to a wide range of veterinary topics, practical skills, and field activities. The curriculum is designed to give a strong foundation across multiple species, while also offering unique opportunities that can only be experienced in South Africa.
Academic & Veterinary Topics
Pathology & Anatomy
Parasitology
African Animal Diseases
Animal Husbandry & Nutrition
Livestock Production & Management
Hands-On Practical Skills
Administering injections, dips, and parasite control
Pregnancy testing (manual & ultrasound)
Artificial insemination of cattle & pigs
Hoof trimming (sheep & goats)
Basic wound care & animal first aid
Safe handling of livestock & wildlife
Wildlife Medicine
Chemical immobilization & dart gun practice
Game capture, relocation, and monitoring
Wildlife pharmacology (drug use & safety in the field)
Veterinary Physiotherapy
Rehabilitation & recovery for cattle, horses, and dogs
Small Animal Clinical (Optional)
Surgeries, consultations & diagnostics
Anesthetic monitoring & patient care
Lab work: fecal analysis, blood smears, x-rays
Research & Conservation
Barberpole Worm (Haemonchus) parasite project
Cape Parrot conservation & monitoring in the Hogsback Mountains
Cultural & Community Experiences
Traditional South African farming practices
School visit & Xhosa language introduction
Safaris & sightseeing excursions included
DATES
Selected dates from March-November 2026
Optional Add-On: Wildlife Conservation, Culture & Safari
Extend your South African adventure with a +-9-day experience that blends wildlife conservation, cultural immersion, and safari exploration. This add-on is the perfect way to round out your veterinary program — or it can be enjoyed on its own for those seeking a shorter adventure.
What’s Included in Wildlife Conservation, culture and Safari
- Wildlife Conservation & Research – hands-on practice in species ID, monitoring, and conservation management.
- Safaris & Bush Camping – enjoy guided game drives and experience South Africa’s wildlife in its natural habitat.
- Cultural Village Stay – live among the Xhosa community, try traditional foods, learn drumming and dancing, and connect with local culture.
- Adventure & Exploration – sightseeing across the Eastern Cape, with optional marine conservation and whale watching (weather dependent).
Example Package (Combined programs)
2-week Veterinary Training & Research Immersion + 1-week Wildlife Conservation, Culture & Safari Add-On
View Wildlife Management and conservation course
