It all started with an idea. I would be graduating with my Masters in Business Administration in early June and I knew I would have the entire month of June off before starting my internship at the Omaha Zoo in mid-July and I knew I didn't want to spend that time relaxing. I wanted to use that time to travel somewhere. My original idea was to go to Western Australia, to check out parts of Perth and the west coast, where I could do some hiking. But that wasn't enough. After spending my morning at the Humane Society, I was driving home when the idea struck me: Why don't I find a company that will let me volunteer with animals somewhere in the world so I can use the experience not only for traveling, but also to help animals and provide myself with further wildlife experience I could use towards getting accepted to veterinary school?
I googled "international volunteering" and came across a company called International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ). They are based out of New Zealand, but offer various affordable options to volunteer. Many of the opportunities involve working with children in orphanages, schools, and hospitals. Other opportunities are medical based for pre-med students and nurses. I came across two options through IVHQ which focused on animals. The first was a program run out of Antigua, Guatemala. This program focused on homeless, feral animals that require the attention and care of volunteers to provide them with vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and other basic care. This program was what initially caught my eye because much of my experience with animals is working with cats and dogs. I volunteer at the Nebraska Humane Society, as well as with two local animal support organizations: The Nebraska Dachshund Rescue and Feline Friendz of Omaha. I also work part time as a veterinary assistant at Banfield Pet Hospital. I felt that the Guatemala opportunity would best fit my skills and experience.
Over time, I began to wonder if this program actually fit me best. Sure, it utilized the skills I already had, but would it teach me even more? Would it give me the chance to work in another field I wasn't quite as familiar with? I didn't think it would. So I looked at the second animal care option provide by IVHQ. This second option is based out of Costa Rica working with a conservation group protecting sea turtles along the coast. After careful consideration, I decided this program would be even better for me because it would provide me a broader experience with animals I wasn't familiar with. I would also have the chance to live in a more rural environment, working alongside a research scientist. This seemed to be a better fit for me so I applied.
Several days later, I heard back from IVHQ that I had been accepted for the program. I paid my initial registration fee and received further information about Costa Rica and the Turtle Conservation Program. After reading through the material, I determined that I had picked exactly the right program for me. Since then, I have also booked my flight from Omaha to San Jose, Costa Rica, as well as my return flight. I am scheduled to leave Omaha on June 2, 2012 and return on June 16, 2012. I can't wait to find out more about the opportunity and I hope that I can share every twist and turn of the journey. I am excited and anxious for every experience that this opportunity will bring. I hope that I can not only help with the conservation efforts in the country, but also I hope that this can further my resolve in choosing animal care as a career and a future. Wish me luck!
- Melinda