Veterinary Work Experience Internship in Ghana

You will either work with domestic and farm animals in a nearby veterinary clinic or with livestock on a farm as a veterinary medicine intern. Some duties you may be expected to perform: 

• Watch and assist neighborhood vets as they do routine examinations and treatments on the animals. 
• Assist with procedures and watch autopsies on domestic or agricultural animals 
• Inform the public and farm owners on the proper ways to care for animals. 

Observe and help with routine consultations and treatments. 

At veterinary clinics or on farm visits, you will accompany veterinarians as they work with the animals, conduct consultations, and determine treatment plans. You can help too, but only under the veterinarian's supervision. If allowed, you can assist with tasks like 

• Animal care in general 
• Administering medication and immunizations 
• Dress injuries 
• Testing for diseases 
• Placing IVs

Assist with operations and observe autopsies 

Depending on your degree of experience, you might be able to help out more directly. You may be able to help by setting up surgical sites and supplies or helping during procedures like sterilizations. On rare occasions, you'll get to observe autopsy or post-mortem operations where you’ll get to determine whether an animal died due to an illness, injury, or some other reason. 

Educate on the proper ways to care for animals. 

Animal care is not very well understood in Ghana. Many farmers and animal owners choose to not get their livestock or pets treated because they cannot pay the costs. They frequently lack the resources necessary to travel for veterinary care as well. 

They either don’t report cases of sick animals or wait until it is too late. The animals may pass away from their ailments if they do not get better on their own. This is why educating the public about proper animal care is important as it will result in decreased mortality rates and help stop the spread of diseases.

Can I use this program as part of a college or university placement? 

It is certainly possible to use one of OGVO’s programs as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. OGVO regularly receives medical, biomedical sciences, psychology, midwifery, dentistry, veterinary and nursing placement students at our projects across Ghana.

Wake up each morning at your host family before eating breakfast, donning your white coat, and grabbing a tro-tro or shared taxi that will take you to the hospital. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show you the way. 

You will work 5 days a week, leaving you two free days (Saturday & Sunday) to explore the area. You’ll work around 4 – 9 hours per day.

At the end of the day, you can head home and enjoy a home-cooked Ghanaian meal with your host family. This is the perfect time to get to know more about their culture. Over the weekends, you can spend time with other volunteers or interns, explore the many historical sites around Cape Coast, or just relax on the beach.
 

This document may be required depending on the placement site.

Education – Must have a High School/University/College etc. level qualification.

Documents – A Curriculum Vitae/ Résumé must be attached to your application form.

Other Skills – No particular skills are required to volunteer in a Laboratory in Ghana, although any experience will certainly be helpful to you.

Time – Your helping hands will be required on 5 days a week (M-F) from 08:00 - 14:00.

You need to speak English (basic level).