Work with rescued animals and discover the vet in you – no experience needed.
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Learn techniques under the guidance of certified veterinarians
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Gain exposure to both clinical practice and animal rescue environments
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Immerse yourself in a new culture and career path
Don’t let your passion for animals stay theoretical.
Every year, future vets and animal lovers study the science of care – but few ever step into the real world where rescued animals live, heal and learn to trust again.
Without hands-on experience, you can’t know whether this passion could become your life’s calling.
Step into the World of Ethical Animal Care
In just two weeks, gain real, hands-on experience alongside vets and sanctuary professionals in Italy’s clinics and animal sancturaries.
Learn how to understand, treat, and connect with animals while exploring whether a future in veterinary medicine, biology, or conservation is your calling.
40+ hours of hands-on learning
40+ hours of hands-on learning
Experience hands-on care for a wide range of animals – from farm to exotics. Whether it’s daily feeding, hand-rearing, administering vaccinations, or supporting special needs, you’ll be immersed in the action.
Learn the art of caring for rescues
Get an inside look at the lives of animals in rescues, each with their own personality. Learn what it takes for them to thrive, how they interact with one another and their human carers, and discover the care they need – whether they have fur, feathers, or scales.
Dedicated cultural time
Spend your mornings bonding with the animals and reserve your afternoons as you alternate between program cultural activities, relaxing free time, and exploring your local city.
P.S. Your first Friday includes a guided day trip to a nearby destination!
#1 Shadowing Program in Italy for Future Veterinarians
Since 2018, our Animal Care program has helped hundreds of students from over 30 countries gain real clinical experience in top sanctuaries and clinics across Italy.
Our programs are locally coordinated, and built in partnership with trusted healthcare institutions – so you can focus on learning in a safe, inspiring environment.
Choose your classroom across 3 Italian cities.
Learn the art of animal care where history, compassion, and discovery intertwine.
Each location offers a unique blend of sanctuary and clinical learning, guided by vets and rescuers who make caring a way of life.
Cities available for Summer 2026 – Prices start from €4,950
Rome, Italy
Immerse yourself in a stunning landscape as you work with farm animals and witness remarkable interspecies interactions at animal sanctuaries and clinics in the Italian capital.
- Work with equines, farm animals
- 70% sanctuary, 30% clinic
Florence, Italy
Engage with rescued equines, learn the stories of over 220 farm animals, and explore migratory bird conservation in Tuscany’s stunning countryside.
- Work with equines, farm animals
- Emphasis on sanctuary shadowing
Milan, Italy
Shadow experts in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and advanced veterinary practices in top veterinary clinics and rescues in the bustling city of Milan.
- Work with multiple species
- 60% clinical, 40% shadowing
Your Path to Experiencing Global Healthcare
After researching what each city has to offer, submit your online application alongside your preferences for program and city – it only takes a few minutes.
Pre-requisites:
- be 18 or older
- have at least a 2.5 GPA or equivalent
- speak conversational English
If your application is successful, you'll be invited to book a virtual interview with the admissions team.
It's a relaxed conversation to understand your goals, interests, and preferred specialties so we can match you with the best city, hospital, and program length (2–4 weeks).
Once accepted and matched, it's time to reserve your place.
Confirm with a €300 deposit and choose a payment plan that fits your needs — 3, 6, or 9 monthly installments.
Your place in the program and your city assignment will then be fully secured, and your designated Program Coordinator will reach out to you to help you prepare for your trip.
If you'd like additional funding, we also offer scholarships.
ScholarshipsYou'll land on Sunday, get picked up by your program coordinator, and move into your student housing — ready for an unforgettable few weeks.
From Monday to Thursday, you'll shadow doctors across multiple specialties. Fridays are for group excursions beyond the city, and weekends are yours to explore Italy with your new friends.
By the end of your 2–4 weeks, you'll have gained 40-80+ clinical hours, real-world confidence, and stories that set you apart in every application and interview (plus an international network of peers and mentors!).
You will also receive an official certificate for the shadowing hours you've completed.
From this experience, I felt more comfortable around large and farm animals. I participated in a realistic way of working in the field taking portal ultrasounds of horses with asthma, laminitis and Cushing's disease; conducted fecal examination outdoors for sheeps, goats, donkeys and horses; and learned about bovine and equine anatomy through physical examinations.
![Jahia Collier](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0945/3518/8854/files/Image-240x320-1.webp?v=1769423665")
Jahia Collier
USA
Through the program provided, I got the opportunity to learn all the ins and outs of working with animals in a sanctuary setting, as well as beginning to get involved in clinical work! Doctors in Italy was a wonderful experience to dip your toes into the work of a veterinarian and cemented my desire to go on to vet school.
Maxwell Frederick
USA
A Proven Program with Global Impact
Many of our alumni have gone on to explore careers in veterinary medicine across the U.S., U.K., and beyond.
Their experiences in Italy become the stories that stand out — in applications, interviews, and lifelong careers in medicine.