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