one purpose
hands-on experience
Animal Welfare &
Care
2 simultaneous approaches:
Animal Welfare:
You will actively collaborate in the observation, analysis, and documentation of animal behaviors, both individual and group. You will learn to identify welfare indicators as well as follow and develop action plans to improve them. You will design and implement sensory, cognitive, physical, nutritional, and social enrichments tailored to different species and management objectives. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in medical procedures such as voluntary weigh-ins, physical checkups, and medication administration. These tools reduce stress, build confidence, and promote the animals’ overall well-being. You will explore the fundamentals of behavioral analysis applied to animal welfare. You will learn to conduct functional behavioral assessments, identify factors that maintain or modify behavior, and propose data-driven interventions. You will develop skills to plan and adjust strategies based on each animal’s needs.Rehabilitation:
Veterinary & Animal Welfare
3 simultaneous approaches:
Veterinary medicine:
You will assist in the application of veterinary knowledge in real-life settings, adapting your level of involvement according to your skills, experience, and the nature of the clinical cases encountered during your internship. You will participate in general medical checkups and assist with clinical procedures such as blood collection, medication administration, fluid therapy, and special care for animals in quarantine or undergoing treatment. Additionally, you will collaborate in the monitoring of clinical cases, managing medical records and writing clinical reports, as well as in minor surgeries and supervised necropsies.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn and practice basic techniques such as intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, IV placement, and suturing.
Depending on availability and your level of experience, you may be able to integrate into more advanced clinical tasks, such as supervised clinical laboratory practice, taking and analyzing X-rays and ultrasounds, as well as supporting major surgeries, participating in pre- and post-operative tasks under the guidance of the professional team.
Animal Welfare:
You will assist in the area of animal welfare, participating in the creation and implementation of environmental enrichment programs designed to improve the quality of life of animals under professional care. You will actively collaborate supporting various process such as weighings,
physical checkups, and treatment administration, all through the use of positive reinforcement. You will also participate in the design and implementation of activities that stimulate the animals’ cognitive, sensory, and physical abilities, promoting their overall well-being and facilitating their collaboration in medical procedures.
Rehabilitation:
You will have the opportunity to be directly involved in wildlife rehabilitation processes, collaborating in the management and monitoring of orphaned or recovering animals. You will provide support during the pre-release stages, both in medical preparation and behavioral assessment, ensuring that the individuals are in optimal condition for return to their natural environment.
As part of the program, interns must develop an individual research project designed to contribute to both the student’s professional growth and the center’s knowledge and continuous improvement.
This component is a valuable opportunity to apply what they have learned in the field, strengthen critical thinking, and actively contribute to the center’s mission.
From the first week, the project’s approach must be defined. This approach can be proposed by the intern or chosen from a list of topics suggested by the team. Each student will have a day and a half per week within their regular schedule to develop this research, with ongoing support and review by the responsible staff.
Some possible themes include:
Study of a clinical case observed during the internship
Analysis of individual or group behavior of a species
Evaluating the impact of environmental enrichment on an animal or group
Research on local wildlife populations, their At the end of the internship, each participant must give an oral presentation of the results obtained, sharing their findings with the center’s team.
Animal Care & Welfare: Be an active student or recent graduate of biology, natural resource management, animal husbandry,
animal behavior, or related fields.
Veterinary & Animal Welfare: Be an active student or recent graduate of veterinary medicine,
veterinary assistant or related career.
- Both internship programs require:
- Intermediate level of Spanish or English
- Have valid medical and accident insurance
- Up-to-date vaccinations (tetanus required,
pre-exposure rabies recommended) - Demonstrate commitment to animal welfare
and professional ethics - Send your cover letter and resume to
learning@apamiwildlife.org
Our sanctuary and rescue center is located within a protected reserve of over 20 hectares, home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including kinkajú, skunks, raccoons, deer, coatis, howler monkeys, felines, and a wide variety of birds. During your free time, you’ll have the opportunity to hike, explore, and learn more about the natural richness of the tropical dry forest that characterizes this reserve.
AWRC is located in one of the most idyllic areas in the world, just 25 minutes from beaches like Tamarindo, Flamingo, and Conchal, known for offering some of the most spectacular sunsets on the planet.