Our team is thrilled in looking forward to experiencing many different aspects of veterinary medicine, such as: working in shelter situations with small animals, in the field with local ranchers, large and small ruminant farmers, and finally getting hands on wildlife experience. We are hoping not only to enrich and help the lives of animals but to have a positive impact on the community as well. We are each looking forward to putting into practice, and developing, the skills we have learned so far and to learn from all the amazing experiences and people on our journey from Belize down to Peru. With your decision to support us, you will be enriching many lives (both human and more furry) in the process!

Placements:

• Animal A.W.A.R.E. – Guatemala
• La Senda Verde – Bolivia
• To be determined

A little bit about ourselves:

Sebastian: My name is Sebastian Ruszkowski and I’ve dreamed to be a veterinarian since I can remember. I am excited to put what I have learned to work and be able to make a difference. I plan on working with every species and with volunteering abroad I will get the chance to do exactly that. Being outdoors and in the wilderness is where I feel at home and Central and South America will give me the opportunity not only to volunteer but to explore. I can’t wait for the challenges and the experiences ahead and I think that with every new adventure you have the chance to better yourself and your perspective.

TJ: When I first became interested in veterinary medicine I was passionate about treating just the individual animal but as the years have passed and I’ve gained more experience and schooling, my interest has grown to not just treating the individual animal but to also having an impact on veterinary medicine at large. Global Vets provides the opportunity to travel to a different part of the world to not only learn but to use our own knowledge to help advance a cause. I’ve begun to see veterinary medicine as a global approach and I am beyond excited to learn more about the challenges and knowledge other regions offer while collaborating with other professionals. I hope to have a career with clinical and research aspects that affect a wide array of species and travelling to Central/South America will give me the opportunity to do so. I can’t wait to start on an adventure that hopefully continues on throughout my career!

Christie: When I first applied to OVC I did what every vet student does and researched everything I could possibly know about the school and it’s associated community. The one thing that stuck with me the most was global vets. I have been excited and dreaming about this trip for almost 5 years now. Along with most vet students I share an everlasting passion for animals and their health and welfare. One of my other focuses through undergrad and now is volunteerism and conservation. I am so thrilled to go work in various places in Central and South America and to not only help the animals but to spend time with the people in each community and to hopefully impact the local ecosystem health. I am so excited to share this experience with 18 other vet students that are as passionate as I am.