The study abroad trip to different locations of Costa Rica was one of the best experiences to see and experience. I am beyond excited to have that on my resume between working super hard with different weather environments, whether it was raining or 100% humidity. I quite enjoyed the learning of different animals and having some Hands-On experience. It was not as much of the medical side of veterinary medicine, but more zookeeper work. It is a good skill/ experience to have due to growing as a wildlife veterinarian technician knowing husbandry and nutrition of different animals. I am also very thankful that we got to experience a bandage/ wound repair on a sloth that was sadly electrocuted, which is a common outcome for a lot of animals in Costa Rica. I was very excited to learn what different countries and cultures have in place for wildlife. It was interesting to see the different places and what they do with rehab and release.

Some locations are stricter with volunteers’ involvement than other places. There were places that had different standards for releasing animals. One location gave every animal a chance to be released in their different steps to seeing how they grow and become releasable. It was also very exciting to see that Costa Rica has a huge program legality for wildlife and for their protection. It was very exciting to find that the laws and fines went from a small amount to thousands of dollars which is a huge deterrent for people. It is common for people to have these wild birds or monkeys then return them to the wild for whatever reason. It warmed my heart to see that there are a huge amount of people and even the government programs that protect these wild animals. Whether they are on a critically endangered list or not. The only thing I would like to add is more hands on in clinic veterinary medicine experience other than ear cleaning, nail trims, and bathing. Even though those are also very important. I wanted to see a more in-depth side of wildlife medicine rather than hands-on medical treatment of dogs and cats.

There were times when I was out of my comfort zones due to AC not being as commonly had at places that we stayed, but I learned that I could adapt and see how strong my passion for this field is than environmental conditions. The experience has still pushed me to still want to work with exotics and do rehabilitation. It was also a huge bonus to see how chocolate and coffee are made. The hiking of water falls and seeing beaches with wildlife around consisting of monkeys and birds. The passion from our tour guide and the bus driver topped the experience. Everyone in Costa Rica have so much love for their culture and their country. I would recommend this study abroad.

– Jordan, SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025

Traveling throughout Costa Rica with the SPC Vet Tech group was an unforgettable experience that I will always cherish. The program did a fantastic job of balancing our two-week stay with hands-on volunteer work and excursions that fully immersed us in the local culture. Our travel from place to place was made seamless thanks to our amazing bus driver, Edwin. The long drives passed quickly due to our fantastic guide, Ana. Her vast knowledge of Costa Rica, ranging from its history and ecosystems to its agriculture, made the trip even more educational than I could have expected. She truly became one with our group and I’m so grateful we were fortunate enough to have her with us on this adventure.

During our time abroad, we had the opportunity to volunteer at four different animal sanctuaries and rescues. The first three were dedicated to Costa Rican wildlife where we learned a great deal about sloths, birds, monkeys, and more, all while caring for them up close. Our tasks included preparing food, feeding, cleaning enclosures, repairing them, creating enrichment, and assisting with anything else the facility needed. Some of the locations also offered valuable insights into the veterinary side of animal care which was an excellent addition to the experience. A recurring issue that many of the wildlife faced was electrocution from power lines as it was one of the most common injuries we saw across the sanctuaries.

The last rescue we visited focused on domesticated animals like dogs, cats, and horses.
It was a nice way to end the trip by working with animals we were more familiar with.
Between our days at the animal sanctuaries, we were lucky enough to partake in a variety of excursions that showcased other aspects of Costa Rica. We visited a coffee plantation, explored beaches, hiked to waterfalls, soaked in hot springs, attended a theater performance, and participated in a chocolate workshop. Each experience was unique, and it was also great to have some free time to explore the local markets or try new restaurants. There didn’t seem to be a moment that went to waste and so many unforgettable memories were made alongside a wonderful group of people. I can honestly say that my expectations for this trip were exceeded in every way.

– Kelsey, SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025

Two weeks flew by in the breathtaking landscapes of Costa Rica—far too short a time to take in all its beauty and biodiversity. During my journey, I had the privilege of visiting four unique animal sanctuaries, each dedicated to protecting, preserving, and rehabilitating wildlife. In this post, I’ll share what I learned about the challenges these sanctuaries face, the inspiring work they’re doing, and the opportunities for meaningful support and involvement in their missions.

A Tour of Compassion

Each sanctuary I visited was a safe haven for animals rescued from abuse, neglect, environmental disasters, or illegal trade. I met sloths rescued from powerline electrocution, monkeys who had been kept as illegal pets forced and abused to work for tourist entertainment, macaws rescued from a life of minuscule confinement, injured and abandoned street dogs, and a multitude of birds saved from smuggling operations. The staff—often underpaid or volunteering—worked tirelessly with minimal resources. Despite the hardships, their dedication to animal recovery and rehabilitation was unwavering. These animals were not just being housed, they were being healed emotionally and physically, often with the goal of rehabilitating and where possible releasing them back into the wild.

The Challenges on the Ground

• While the work being done is nothing short of heroic, nearly every center faced similar, serious challenges:
• Underfunding: Most sanctuaries rely on donations or small grants, with little to no help from the local government.
• Overcrowding: The rate of rescued animals far exceeds available space and staff capacity, making quality care extremely difficult in most cases.
• Limited Access to Veterinary Care: Many sanctuaries are in remote areas where getting access to skilled veterinarians, medications, tools, equipment or even basic lab testing can be a logistical nightmare.
• Legal and Political Barriers: zero government intervention, aid and funding with strict laws and regulations for animal interactions ands transport making the work of the sanctuaries at times almost impossible.
• Illegal Pet Trade: Despite laws in place, the exotic animal trade still persists. Many animals at these sanctuaries were confiscated from private owners, unable to be released due to dependency or trauma.
• Tourism: Sanctuaries are trying to reduce the interaction between humans and animals to improve the chances of the animals’ success in the wild. Once initiative is promoting “Stop animal selfies” and only use minimal tourist engagement without selfies. However, it is hard to bring people to sanctuaries without an attraction therein lies a devastating conundrum which leads most motives of Costa Rica sanctuaries falling sort of true wildlife restoration.

Highlights of Hope

While the challenges are real, the highlights were powerful. I witnessed:

• A howler monkey learning to trust again after sever abuse.
• An amputated sloth regaining a fierce lease of life.
• A mutilated capuchin monkey saved from potential wildlife abuse that was homed with other un-releasable capuchin monkeys creating a family and safety.
• Enrichment techniques for un-releasable animals to simulate wildlife with reduced human interaction.
• Understanding of the releasing steps to ensure high levels of success starting with aiding the animal then encouraging natural instincts.
• Educational programs teaching local communities and children about wildlife protection and coexistence.
• Initiative that use a monitor released wildlife for research and future development and successful release.
  These moments reminded me that rescue and rehabilitation are only half the mission—education and community engagement are just as essential.

A Journey that changed me

This two-week experience reminded me why I chose veterinary technology in the first place. It’s not just about medicine, it’s about compassion, education, and global responsibility. Seeing the resilience of both the animals and the people who care for them reminded me that even in the face of struggle, hope and healing are possible.
I returned with a renewed commitment to the field, eager to apply what I learned and to be part of the global network fighting for better lives for animals everywhere.

– Penny , SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025

This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to spend two weeks abroad in Costa Rica. The focus of the trip was wildlife medicine and conservation, and I had the most amazing time! I have a B.S. in wildlife ecology and conservation that I earned before starting the vet tech program, so it was a dream to find a trip that combined my two loves: conservation and veterinary medicine. Over the course of 14 days, we volunteered at four different sanctuaries, learning about the care of the animals and the challenges facing wildlife conservation in Costa Rica. We got to work hands-on with animal care professionals preparing diets, cleaning enclosures, creating enrichment, and so much more.

One of my favorite experiences from the trip was being up close and observing the veterinary team at the Kids Saving the Rainforest project as they treated two sloths that had recently undergone limb amputation surgery. The vet team let us close and ask a ton of questions while they talked us through the treatment and the recovery for sloths when they undergo this type of surgery. Both were wild sloths that will be released into the wild after some rehabilitation. The doctor we worked with explained how common it is for arboreal animals like sloths and monkeys to get electrocuted by grabbing electrical wires, thinking it is a branch. Luckily for our patients, they were brought in for care, and because of the help they received, they not only survived but can now be released back into the wild. I especially enjoyed this experience since it was a perfect cross-section of medicine and conservation.

Overall, I had an absolutely amazing time! I made so many new friends, learned so much, and had so many new experiences that I will never forget.

– Olivia, SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025