Experience your future at Veterinary Academy
Earn up to 80 veterinary hours while exploring conservation, veterinary medicine, and zoology through hands-on learning with leading conservationists and teaching veterinarians who'll give you a firsthand look at careers dedicated to animal care.
Sloths, elephants, and horses, oh my!
Forget boring summer camps! Veterinary Academy programs offer endless possibilities to explore. You can care for stray dogs and contribute to wildlife conservation efforts in Costa Rica, connect with the public about the importance of habitat preservation at the Texas Zoo, or live amongst the kangaroos in Australia. Where in the world will your passion for animals take you?
Explore these programs and more...
High School Programs
Veterinary Academy: Costa Rica
Costa Rica
14 days | 80 veterinary hours
Experience the best of both worlds as you go behind-the-scenes at a stray dog clinic, practicing diagnostic testing and clinical lab rotations, and immerse yourself in the world of wildlife conservation as you shadow veterinarians rehabilitating animals that have been victims of wildlife trafficking.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| June 21-July 4 July 19-August 1 | $7,199 |
Veterinary Academy: Australian Wildlife
Australia
14 days | 80 veterinary hours
Embark on a two-week adventure Down Under at Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga, where you’ll gain hands-on experience with koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, and hundreds of other Australian species while learning zoo veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation from expert veterinarians.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| July 26-August 8 | $7,199 |
Veterinary Academy: Horses & Large Animals
New York
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Spend a week at a working equine hospital and veterinary clinic, where you’ll help prepare horses for surgery, learn how to bandage and suture wounds, and study the anatomy of horses and large animals. In addition to learning at the hospital, you’ll spend time working with horses at equine rescues.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| July 5-11 July 12-18 | $4,999 |
Veterinary Academy: Zoo Medicine
Massachusetts
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Now’s your chance to go behind the scenes at a working zoo and get hands-on experience working with a variety of animals, from the Red Kangaroo to the White Lion. You’ll learn from teaching veterinarians and zookeepers about designing enclosures and animal enrichment activities.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| July 12-18 July 19-25 | $4,799 |
Veterinary Academy: Horses & Large Animals
Arizona
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Live your equine veterinary dreams at Gud Ark Animal Sanctuary in Arizona. Work with rescued horses and large animals, master equine medicine techniques, and earn veterinary hours while learning from professional veterinarians specializing in equine and large animal care.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| June 28-July 4 | $3,799 |
Veterinary Academy: Zoo Medicine
Texas
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Now’s your chance to go behind-the-scenes at a working zoo and get hands-on experience working with a variety of animals, from the American Alligator to the Two-toed Sloth. Learn from teaching veterinarians and seasoned zoo professionals as you experience firsthand daily moments in a working veterinarian’s life.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| June 21-27 June 28-July 4 | $4,599 |
Veterinary Academy: Marine Biology
Florida
7 days | 30 research hours
Spend your summer working with The Reef Institute in Palm Beach as they assist in ongoing research and restoration efforts to preserve coral reefs and marine wildlife in Florida. You’ll practice valuable data collection and laboratory research skills like coral tagging and fish identification as you contribute to the conservation of a vulnerable ecosystem.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| July 19-25 | $3,799 |
Middle School Programs
Future Vet: Zoo Medicine
Washington, D.C.
7 days | 25 veterinary hours
Students will learn from teaching veterinarians about animal anatomy, canine first aid, and the ins-and-outs of veterinary school. They’ll also spend two half-days exploring a local Washington, D.C. zoo to learn more about animal enrichment and enclosure design.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| Residential Program June 21-27 June 28-July 4 | $3,999 |
| Day Program June 22-27 June 29-July 4 | $3,499 |
Future Vet: Zoo Medicine
Texas
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Students will go behind-the-scenes at a working zoo and get hands-on experience working with a variety of animals, from the American Alligator to the Two-toed Sloth. They’ll learn from teaching veterinarians and seasoned zoo professionals as they’ll experience firsthand daily moments in a working veterinarian’s life.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| July 5-11 | $3,999 |
Future Vet: Zoo Medicine
Massachusetts
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Students will go behind the scenes at a working zoo and get hands-on experience working with a variety of animals, from the Red Kangaroo to the White Lion. They’ll learn from teaching veterinarians and zookeepers about designing enclosures and animal enrichment activities.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| July 5-11 | $4,799 |
Future Vet: Horses & Large Animals
New York
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Students will spend a week at a working equine hospital and veterinary clinic, where they’ll help prepare horses for surgery, learn how to bandage and suture wounds, and study the anatomy of horses and large animals. In addition to learning at the hospital, they’ll spend time working with horses at equine rescues.
| 2026 Dates & Tuition | |
|---|---|
| June 28-July 4 | $4,999 |
College credit is included with tuition. Students attending high school Veterinary Academy programs are eligible to receive college credit(s) through George Mason University. Credits are included in the cost of tuition and are awarded for successful completion of the program and credit requirements. Learn more.
2026 Sample Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Victoria, Texas
- Registration & Orientation
- Setting expectations & goals
-
Day 2: Exotic & Wildlife Mammals
- Introduction to Exotic and Wildlife Mammals
- Field Class: Behavioral Observations
- Animal Care Rotation I*
- Food Preparation
- Enclosure Maintenance and Management
- Animal Enrichment
- Lab Activity: Suturing
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Day 3: Large & Domesticated Animals
- Practice Physical Exams & Positive Reinforcement Training
- Animal Care Rotation II
- Field Class: Zoo Ethics, Animal Welfare, and the Role of Zoos in Conservation
- Lab Activity: Bandaging
-
Day 4: Reptiles
- Introduction to Reptile Care
- Field Class: Veterinary Diagnostics & Reptile Physical Examinations
- Lab Activity: Parasitology
- Animal Care Rotation III
- Design Animal Enrichment Projects
-
Day 5: Avians
- Introduction to Avian Care
- Small Group Work
- Radiograph Interpretation Lab
- Rabbit Physical Examinations
- Research + Prepare for Keeper Talk Presentation
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Day 6: Careers in Veterinary Medicine
- Present Keeper Talks
- Field Class: Jobs in Veterinary Medicine & Capture and Release vs Rehab
- Small Group Work
- Enclosure Design Workshop
- Blood Cytology Lab
-
Day 7: Departure
Find Your Future This Summer
Click below to receive more details about our Veterinary Academy programs or complete your enrollment.
What's Included?
- All curriculum and instruction
- Program activities
- Site visits and events
- Overnight housing
- Program materials
- Local transportation during program
- Certificate of completion
- The cost of two college credits
(high school programs only)
Why Veterinary Academy?
Hear directly from Veterinary Academy alumni about what they now know after attending the program and how it has helped inspire them to pursue their passion.
About Loop Abroad, our partner in Veterinary Medicine
Loop Abroad is the leading pre-veterinary travel program in the nation, with thousands of alumni at university and vet school campuses across the U.S. Their programs help students experience diverse veterinary careers firsthand. With an international team of expert wildlife and zoo veterinarians, Loop Abroad helps empower students to pursue the animal science careers of their dreams.
Loop Abroad was recognized by GoAbroad as the top rated study abroad provider of 2024.
Take the Next Step
Thank you for your interest in WorldStrides' Summer 2026 Veterinary Academy program.
Please fill out the form below to receive additional information about the program.
Ready to dive into the world of veterinary medicine?
Conservation, veterinary medicine, and zoology programs for high-school students.

