Don't forget to change the details to fit you and your program!
Dear [Pre-Vet Club Members],
Last summer I traveled to Thailand for two weeks with Loop Abroad on their College Veterinary Service Program. During my trip, I spent one week volunteering and providing veterinary assistance hands on with asian elephants at the Elephant Nature Park and one week learning and assisting in the veterinary care of cats and dogs at the Loop Abroad's clinic in Chiang Mai. Through this program I was able to earn not only 80 service hours but also clinical veterinary hours as well as class credit.
I am currently organizing a private college vet trip for members of our [pre-vet club] and other interested students for this coming summer. If you are at all interested in going on this private trip or hearing more about Loop Abroad programs I am holding an interest meeting on [Monday, September 12th] at [6:30pm] in [classroom #100].
Here are some more details about the trip (these can also be found on our group’s webpage here (LINK YOUR PAGE):
Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
When: DATES
Cost: TUITION (not including airfare) This is a 10% discount from the regular rate!
There are many ways to fundraise for this trip, both individually and as a group. Come to the interest meeting to learn more.
Who it’s for: College students (rising freshmen through graduating seniors) who are interested in becoming veterinarians or working professionally with animals. There are no prerequisites for this program.
What it’s about: In this two-week program, you’ll work and learn alongside veterinarians at an elephant sanctuary and a dog rescue shelter, live among the elephants and care directly for them, provide check-ups and procedures to dogs in need, and experience magnificent Thailand first-hand. The AVMA says "If you have the opportunity to work... for veterinarians who work with different species, that's a bonus that can make you more appealing to a veterinary school admissions committee.” Loop Abroad is proud to offer you that opportunity! Our Veterinary Service program has a US veterinarian on staff to teach our students.
Course credit: Many schools have offered course credit for the extensive learning you do while on this trip. Loop staff is happy to help you pursue credit or may already have alums who have gotten credit at our school.
Itinerary: This program is divided into two weeks. In one week, students work with our staff vet to care for dogs and cats at Loop Abroad’s own Dog Rescue Clinic in Doi Saket just outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Students learn how to assess the dog's health and do exams, and get hands-on practice providing medical care including spay and neuter surgeries. The other week is spent at the Elephant Nature Park, providing hands-on care, love, and support for the 70+ elephants who live there. In our Dog Rescue Clinic outside of Chiang Mai, we provide necessary treatments and surgeries to the dogs at this local organization in need. Students are in the examination room in small groups, assisting with procedures and surgeries and learning hands-on from the vet. Students will have classroom time each day with the vet to go over the information they need to know to carry out each day’s treatments, skills practice, and activities. Evenings are low-key and may involve market trips or outings in the city. Over the weekend, the group will have a chance to see a bit of the best of Chiang Mai, including temple visits and other cultural and adventure exploration such as ziplining or Thai cooking.
The other week is spent living and volunteering with the elephants and vets at the Elephant Nature Park and participating in a specially-tailored volunteer program. Students work with the elephants, helping to feed them, bathe them, cut their food, clean their homes, and provide overall care for them. They will also help with sanctuary upkeep and have the chance to participate in cultural activities. There will be a chance while at the Elephant Nature Park to learn from the elephant vet on staff, help provide medical care to animals in need, participate in a diet study, or any number of other things going on at the park. Students also have the chance to meet world-renowned conservationist and ENP founder Lek Chailert, learn a bit of Thai, and get to meet the elephants on the property one-on-one.
During the interest meeting, I will talk about my Loop Abroad trip this past summer. I will also go over some logistics for the private trip this summer, let you know what your next steps should be if you want to go on the trip, and answer any questions you may have! Again, the interest meeting will be held on [Monday, September 12th]in [classroom #100].
I’m attaching a google doc to fill out if you plan on attending the meeting so I can get an idea of how many people to plan for.
I hope to see you all there!
-[Student name, Loop Abroad Alum/Member of the Pre Vet Club]