Full time internships
Beyond volunteering on a casual basis, for veterinary students and those wishing to gain professional experience we also offer full time internships which meet the requirements for international universities and which can be taken as part of your clinical rotations.
As an intern at KAT Centre working alongside our experienced surgeons, you will have the opportunity to learn different approaches to veterinary medicine and help to treat illnesses and injuries that are uncommon or unknown in developed countries. The hands on nature of KAT means that you will quickly start to learn new skills and to feel welcome and valued.
There are many different tasks you can get involved in at KAT. We will match your skills and expectations with the work available to give a rewarding experience to everyone. The longer you stay, the more you will learn and the more involved you will become.
As well as learning from us, we hope that you will share your insights with our team and through the cultural exchange enrich our team with new perspectives to maximise the treatment outcomes for all of our patients.
“Since I’ve been introduced to the KAT Centre I’ve been trying to go there as often as possible. When I’m not at the centre I really miss it. You get used to the positive energy and the loving atmosphere you find at the KAT Centre.”
– Anna Hoogendijk from The Netherlands
Learning opportunities
During your time at KAT, you will have opportunities to learn about the following:
- Differences in treatment and management between Nepal and other countries.
- Canine transmissible venereal tumours and other cancers.
- Common types of skin diseases (eg mange – sarcoptic and demodectic).
- Knowledge of local parasites and their interactions with host.
- Wound management and associated treatment.
- Differences between flank and mid line spays and the reasons and benefits of each.
- Locally significant infectious diseases, and their causes and signs.
- General operational activities of an NGO working in Nepal.
Requirements
- You should have completed at least one full year of education in a veterinary or medical field.
- Please be willing to give at least two full weeks of your time – the longer that you stay, the more you will gain as you see patients from intake through the treatment process up until release.
- In order to receive instructions and discuss case notes, it is important that you can confidently speak English (or Nepali).
- We are a collaborative organisation, but please respect the direction of our veterinarians and consult with our veterinary staff before prescribing medications or treatments. Our vets and other staff are positioned to make the final decisions about what happens with any particular patient.
- All interns should be up to date with tetanus and rabies vaccinations. If you aren’t able to get the vaccinations before you come to Nepal (which we highly recommend) it is possible to get them in Kathmandu.
Food and accommodation
To maximise your experience, we have developed a new optional package which includes transport from the airport, food and accommodation. The programme is designed to be affordable and all proceeds above the cost of running the programme support our charitable work.
What’s Included in Your Volunteer Package
We’ve designed the Animal-Medic program to be affordable, supportive, and unforgettable:
- Airport Pickup & Drop-Off – meet our team as soon as you land in Kathmandu
- 24/7 Support – guidance before and throughout your stay
- Accommodation – stay in fully furnished rooms at the KAT Centre or we may be able to connect you with a local host family
- Food & Beverages – three freshly cooked meals per day (vegetarian/vegan friendly, Nepali home-style cooking)
- Uniforms – KAT scrubs & volunteer T-shirt provided
- Orientation & Safeguarding – learn how to stay safe and navigate Kathmandu
- Cultural Immersion – sightseeing trips for longer stays (2+ weeks), including temples and historic sites
| Program Duration | Cost (Per Week) | Food Included | Accomodation |
| 2-3 weeks | $200 USD | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Yes |
| 4 weeks | $150 USD | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Yes |
| Additional weeks | $125 USD | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Yes |
Make an application
If you are interested in volunteering and have read all of the relevant information and understand what we do, please send your CV and a supporting statement to us by email at [email protected].
Please also feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions.
Our charity is run in part by a group of volunteer trustees in the UK and the US, who will also be available to offer any practical guidance about travel to Nepal and what to expect.
