Join us on International Volunteer Day (Dec. 5) for a free virtual event: Committed to Solidarity
December 5, 2022 is International Volunteer Day.
VWB/VSF was founded in 2005 to facilitate volunteer work by Canadian veterinarians in developing countries around the world. Since that time volunteers have played an important role in VWB/VSF's work.
Volunteer With VWB
The Volunteers Engaged in Gender Responsive Technical Solutions (VETS) program aims to mobilize more than 190 volunteers in Africa and Asia over a seven-year period.
The program participants include veterinarians, veterinary technologists, animal and human nutritionists, professors of veterinary medicine, veterinary clinic managers, rural development specialists, business development advisors, monitoring and evaluation, gender specialists and others.
Volunteer placements range from three weeks to two years, depending on the nature of the position.
Why Volunteer With Us?
There are many reasons to become a Veterinarians Without Borders volunteer. Here are a few:
- Volunteers support our partner organizations to make a positive difference in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
- International volunteers contribute to this meaningful work and gain profound personal benefits through sharing skills and experience in complex and interesting contexts.
- Volunteers often return to their lives and jobs inspired and refreshed, with a renewed sense of passion for animal welfare and international cooperation.
- In stepping into another country and culture, volunteers experience tremendous personal growth while learning firsthand about the interconnected and ever-shrinking world we share.
We're Recruiting!
To apply for an open position, follow the links below to read the full placement descriptions. Please read the eligibility requirements and application submission instructions carefully.
VETS Program - International
- Kenya: Dairy Veterinary Advisor - Wakulima Dairy Limited
- Kenya: Gender Specialist - Wakulima Dairy Limited
- Kenya: Animal Feeds Processing Technologist - Wakulima Dairy Limited
- Kenya: Dairy Processing Technologist - Wakulima Dairy Limited
- Kenya: Fodder and Forage Management Advisor - Wakulima Dairy Limited
- Kenya: Dairy Veterinary Advisor - Meru Dairy Co-operative
- Kenya: Animal Nutritionist - Meru Dairy Co-operative
- Ghana: Animal Health Specialist - SEND Ghana
- Ghana: Gender Specialist - SEND Ghana
- Ghana: Communication and Media Specialist - GAPNET
- Ghana: Gender Specialist - GAPNET
- Senegal: Environment and M&E Specialist - AVSF
- Senegal: Communications Officer - AVSF
- Senegal: Animal Health Research Advisor - AVSF
- Cambodia: Gender Specialist - AVSF
- Laos: Gender Advisor - HPA
- Vietnam: Community Animal Health Worker Trainer - IEHSD
Young Volunteer Program
VWB/VSF's Young Volunteer Program aims to improve food security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the global south while providing Canadian students and recent graduates with opportunities to learn and grow in a cross-cultural setting. Read the YVP 2023 Program Description to find out more.
Now recruiting for our 2023 Young Volunteer Program! The application deadline is November 30, 2022.
Please download and complete this YVP 2023 Application Form and submit with your application.
- Kenya: Dairy Veterinary Advisor - Meru Dairy Co-operative (2 positions)
- Kenya: Dairy Veterinary Advisor - Wakulima Dairy Limited (2 positions)
- Ghana: Small Animal Health Specialist - GAPNET (2 positions)
- Ghana: Small Animal Health Specialist - SEND Ghana (2 positions)
- Senegal: Animal Health Advisor - AVSF (2 positions)
- Laos: Poultry and Small Ruminants Veterinary Advisor - HPA (2 positions)
- Vietnam: One Health Research Officer - IEHSD (2 positions)
Ukraine response
- Romania: Veterinarian - Save the Dogs
- Romania: Veterinary Technologist - Save the Dogs
- Online: Communications Volunteer
Northern Animal Health Initiative - Northern Canada
What makes an effective volunteer?
International volunteers often experience new and challenging circumstances. It's hard to know how we will react until we face those challenges. However, there are personal and professional qualities that help to identify people who will be effective working and living in another country.
It is important to be flexible. International volunteers often need to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances. At times you could experience inconvenience or discomfort. Volunteers need the self-confidence to take action on their own. The most effective volunteers also thrive as collaborative team members, overcoming cultural and language barriers to share accomplishments as part of a team.
International volunteer work is an opportunity to develop and strengthen skills and abilities that will last a lifetime.
If you would like to contribute to the health of animals, people, and the planet, then a volunteer assignment may be right for you.
