Loop Abroad - College Veterinary Service Program

I enrolled in the program after a friend of mine had completed it the year before. I am so, SO glad that I did. My time spent in Thailand has been fun, educational, and incredibly special. I feel so lucky to have been a part of a program that's main focus is being a positive force. Everything we did benefited not only ourselves, but also the surrounding communities. LOOP took it's time when deciding which programs were worthy. I will absolutely be talking about this experience for the rest of my life!

As soon as I heard about Loop Abroad in Thailand, I knew I had to go. And I was definitely not disappointed when I got there. During my first week, we spent time in downtown Chiang Mai working at a small animal clinic providing services for the stray animals of Thailand. I learned so much that I can apply at home at my clinic job! We also got to explore the city, try lots of foods, see many temples, and go ziplining! It was so much fun. During our second week, we went to Elephant Nature Park, and it was such a wonderful experience. We got to hang out with the elephants in one way or another every day, and I have never been so in awe of an animal before. My favorite part was doing the elephant vet rounds and actually helping with some procedures on the elephants. This trip was a trip of a lifetime for sure!

I HIGHLY suggest the pre vet program in Thailand for any college student on the path to vet school. The amount of material you learn in 3 weeks will put you ahead of all the other students you’re competing against. This unique opportunity will make you stand out on vet apps without a doubt. I had so much fun, I left 3 weeks ago and I’m still having Thailand withdrawals. The people you will meet will be your friends FOREVER! Your leaders and teachers are some of the most incredible humans you will ever meet. The memories you will make are so special and I promise this trip is worth every single penny.

Before coming to Thailand I had lots of animal experience but very little hands on veterinary experience. I was looking for something that I could do to really help educate me and help me stand out on my vet school application. This program was exactly that and more. This program changed my life! Not only was it extremely inclusive and educational but it created friends and memories that I will never forget. We worked hands on learning clinic vet skills with the dogs of Thailand and then got hands on opportunities to work with injured elephants. It was in explainable how amazing this trip was. When you get the chance to meet the elephants, as soon as you look into their eyes, your life feels different, everything seems worth it, and you feel like your doing exactly what you’re meant to be doing. I am so grateful I got to be a part of this amazing program as it changed me for the better and opened doors to so many more opportunities!!

Before Loop Abroad I had 0 hands on experience with vet tech stuff or very much knowledge. My Vet and Group Leader were so patient and very helping in when we would work on the animals. They taught me to be more confident in myself. Our talks about the future, our careers and what we wanted to do with our experience made me realize I never really put much thought into my future in being a Vet Tech. Working with cats and dogs was fun and working with the elephants an eye opening oppurtunity. Loop Abroad helped me realize long term goals as well as gain amazing experience I never dreamed I would get. Apart from learning vet and tech vocab and techniques we were also blessed with the chance to see and learn about Thailand and their culture such as touring the temples, going shopping, trying new food and of course getting to know our tour guides and their life. My experience was definitely one I will never forget. I hope to join another program of Loop Abroads and even one day soon may lead one so others can have a wonderful experience like i did.

My experience with Loop abroad was amazing and unforgettable. It was my first time out of the country and the team leaders really made me feel safe and cared for. For the first week, we volunteered at ARK working with stray cats and dogs. I am interested in small animals in the field so this week was so exciting for me. We learned everything including basic anatomy, physicals, catheter placement, blood draws, and preparing/monitoring vitals for surgeries. We also got to assist in a spray and a neuter surgery by clamping and cutting with the veterinarian. The surgeries were fast paced and taught us how to effectively think on our feet. The weekend after this week, we got to go zip lining and explore the temples in Thailand. The zip lining was incredible and I would definitely recommend it. The second week, we went to the elephant nature park to work with elephants at the sanctuary. We were able to help prepare food for and feed the elephants, bathe them, observe them during a nutrition study, and assist in cleaning their wounds with the veterinarian. I loved working with them and the entire trip in general. You learn so much! I was worried at first about the safety and legitimacy of the program but I quickly learned that I had nothing to worry about at all.

Words can’t describe how fun and educational this trip was! I got to work with both cats and dogs and elephants. I learned so much from the vet both in surgery and lecture. I also learned a lot about the Thai culture by going to the local markets and visiting temples. I didn’t meet one rude Thai person the entire time I was there. The vets and the guides made sure we were the safest we could be especially out in public. This trip was just the right amount of learning and visiting and I am so happy it was my first time out of the country! The living conditions on the elephant sanctuary are not like a hotel so bring a lot of bug spray and maybe a cool towel!

I knew when signing up that this program was going to be incredible, but I never imagined just how life changing two weeks in Thailand could be. We learned all about small animal medicine and the culture in Chaing mai, Thailand during the first week. The second week we got to learn about elephant medicine and learn from the wildlife vet who works at Elephant Nature Park. This program gives you amazing vet experience, but it also give you so much more cultural experience than I ever would’ve expected. I couldn’t be happier with my trip and I hope every student gets to have an experience like mine!