• Life On Land

Veterinary Clinic Assistant

location
4 - 48 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+
rating  Great 4.4  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Help improve the situation of street dogs and other needy animals in Crete
  • Get to know the daily work in a veterinary clinic
  • Gain (first) important experience in veterinary medicine
  • Learn a lot about the exciting history and culture of Crete
  • Enjoy your free time on one of the most beautiful and sunny island of the Mediterranean Sea

Especially good for

Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Get involved in the veterinary clinic or in the pet shop, help with care and administration and do your part to help the many animals in need in Crete.

Your placement on Crete is an organization that is fully committed to animal welfare. For more than 15 years, they have been ensuring that the many stray dogs and other needy animals receive the medical care they need to survive. 

And this commitment is also bitterly necessary. On the largest Greek ...

About the program

Your placement on Crete is an organization that is fully committed to animal welfare. For more than 15 years, they have been ensuring that the many stray dogs and other needy animals receive the medical care they need to survive. 

And this commitment is also bitterly necessary. On the largest Greek island there are many stray dogs and cats, which are often in a very critical state of health. As a volunteer you will support, depending on your previous knowledge, in the care of the animals and in the administrative activities of the organization. The organization you are involved with has an excellent reputation in Crete.

The goal of your placement is to provide the animals with the care and attention they need in the short term. In the long term, their general living situation should be improved sustainably.

Typical day

Your tasks as a volunteer vary, depending on your previous knowledge. What is important is a love of animals and a willingness to work hard. Your tasks include, for example, greeting the four-legged patients and their owners, filing medical records and caring for the animals in the clinic. ..

Typical day

Your tasks as a volunteer vary, depending on your previous knowledge. What is important is a love of animals and a willingness to work hard. Your tasks include, for example, greeting the four-legged patients and their owners, filing medical records and caring for the animals in the clinic. Volunteers also provide a pleasant and friendly atmosphere and environment so that both the animals and their owners feel comfortable at all times.

Two volunteers can participate in the project at a time and the working hours are six hours per day from Monday to Friday. 

In the first days there is a training session to help the new volunteers to get to know the people, the program and the work.

Free-time activities

Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean. The paradisiacal island seduces you with 300 hours of sunshine per year and invites you to a beach vacation. But it is also worthwhile to put the numerous cultural sights on the to-do list. Probably the most important is ...

Free-time activities

Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean. The paradisiacal island seduces you with 300 hours of sunshine per year and invites you to a beach vacation. But it is also worthwhile to put the numerous cultural sights on the to-do list. Probably the most important is the Palace of Knossos, closely followed by the Arkadi Monastery near Rethymnon and the Archaeological Museum of Iraklio. Here you will learn a lot about Greek history and there are several other destinations, such as the Samaria Gorge or the coastal city of Chania.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Required Documents

CV, letter of motivation and visa documents

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

For the participation in the project you do not necessarily need special previous knowledge, although experience in the field of veterinary medicine is always welcome. What is important is that you have an interest in animal welfare issues and a heart for animals.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Rainbow Garden Village

Including:

  • Individual counseling by the RGV team in Munich 

  • Organization of the entire stay incl. placement in the project 

  • Support with travel preparations (if necessary, vaccinations, insurance, safety)

  • Comprehensive 

  • RGV Travel ABC for your travel preparations 

  • RGV T-shirt Accommodation on site 

  • Orientation program by the team on site Personal contact and guidance by the team on site 

  • 24/h emergency number 

  • Certificate of participation 

  • Introductory course Personal development


  • Meals: Breakfast

  • Airport Pickup

Airport Pickup at Heraklion Airport

You will land in Heraklion and will be picked up from the airport by a team member. On the way to your accommodation you will make a short tour through the city by car. During this tour you will be explained the schedule of the next days and you will already be shown some important places, buildings, shopping facilities and restaurants. Afterwards you will be taken to your accommodation and have the rest of the day free.

Accommodation

During your assignment you will live in one of the volunteer apartments on site. Depending on how many volunteers are participating in the project and how long you will stay on site, it will be decided in which apartment you will stay.

Each apartment can accommodate up to four volunteers together. All apartments are fully furnished, have a modern bathroom and are equipped with all kitchen utensils, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Towels and bed linen are provided. However, volunteers must take care of the cleanliness of the premises. The accommodations are also divided by gender, unless there is a request for couples.

Depending on the accommodation, the best way to get to your project location is either by bus or even on foot. Depending on how far it is from your apartment, you will need about up to 60 minutes.

Supermarkets, restaurants, bars and other stores are all nearby. The beach is also not far away and invites you to spend days swimming.

Occasionally, there are social events or joint excursions that you can take part in.

The nearest town, Hersonissos is about 3 km away and can be easily reached by bus and also Heraklion is only 12 km away and can be easily visited by bus.

Food & Beverages

Breakfast is already included in the program cost. You can inform us about your diet before your departure. The vegetarian diet is possible.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Heraklion Airport (HER) in Heraklion. We assist you to find cheap flights to Greece. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Greece provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Greece you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Greece. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

You will land in Heraklion and will be picked up from the airport by a team member. On the way to your accommodation you will make a short tour through the city by car. During this tour, the schedule of the next days will be explained to you and you will be shown some important places, buildings, shopping facilities and restaurants. Afterwards you will be taken to your accommodation and have the rest of the day free. You will have time to rest, explore your surroundings or get to know the other volunteers.

The day after your arrival, the orientation program will start and you will learn a lot about Greek culture, customs and the house rules. If necessary, you will go together to the city to get a monthly ticket for public transportation or you will go directly to your workplace. There you will be shown your workplace and the further procedures will be explained to you. If you have any questions, you can always contact the team on site. After the orientation program, you have the rest of the day free.
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,550€
6 weeks 2,030€
8 weeks 2,510€
10 weeks 2,990€
12 weeks 3,470€
24 weeks 6,350€
48 weeks (max. stay) 12,110€
Average fees 319€/week

Program fees

319€ per week 4 - 48 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

4 - 48 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Rainbow Garden Village during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Rainbow Garden Village

Great 4.4 rating (25 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1999

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Steffen

Spoken languages: English, German, Spanish

About the project

Rainbow Garden Village specialises in worldwide volunteer placements and has been sending volunteers on impactful, life-changing trips since 1999.

Meet your organization

From Africa to Asia and Europe to Latin America and Oceania - through volunteering or internships our participants gain unique impressions and experiences abroad. Rainbow Garden Village (RGV) offers sustainable projects in more than 30 countries worldwide in various fields, such as social work, teaching, animal welfare, environmental protection, medicine, etc..

While our participants are engaged in their project, they broaden their horizons and become more open-minded. They strengthen their personal skills, grow from the challenges in their volunteer projects and also improve their language skills. Countless new impressions, experiences and special moments round off the stay abroad - and lead to a return with many exciting stories in the luggage!

25 reviews · rating4.4

Katharina Höfner rating5

2024 at Veterinary Clinic Assistant

Ich habe mich während meines Aufenthalts absolut wohl gefühlt! Da ich schon Vorkenntnisse durch meinen Beruf als TFA hatte, konnte ich mich sehr gut einbringen und durfte super viel helfen! Das Team hat mich herzlich aufgenommen und mir Vertrauen geschenkt. Ich bin sehr dankbar, dass ich diese ...
Greta Moser rating3.8

2023 at Veterinary Clinic Assistant

Ich habe als Praktikant in der Tierklinik während meiner Zeit in Heraklion sehr viele verschiedene Dinge mitbekommen. Da ich vorher einige Praktikumserfahrung bei Tierärzten gemacht hatte, durfte ich auch im OP so viel helfen, wie es rechtlich als Praktikant zulässig ist. Auch neben den ...
Larissa rating5

2022 at Veterinary Clinic Assistant

The day after my arrival, my contact person gave me and another intern a guided tour of the city. That was quite helpful for the first orientation and so I also got to know someone on site directly. He also showed us where we could buy our monthly bus passes. Afterwards, we briefly stopped by the ...
Lara N rating5

2024 at Kindergarten in Crete

I am sharing my incredible experience with volunteer world. The program gave me the opportunity to volunteer in greece, meet other volunteers from other countries, to gain work related knowledge, & to experience the lifestyle in the beautiful island of crete. The program was very organized from the ...
Eliot Jacquemin rating3.8

2024 at Penguin Sanctuary

J'ai beaucoup apprécié ce projet. L'organisation fut globalement assez bonne, je n'ai pas eu de soucis. J'ai appris énormément de choses sur les pingouins et les défis qu'ils doivent combattre au quotidien, c'était très inspirant. ..
lena Illenseher rating2.4

2024 at Support a Horse Riding Academy in Crete

Zuerst das Positive: Der Stall an dem ich gearbeitet habe ist sehr gut gepflegt und man hat sich wohl gefühlt. RGV hat sich bemüht, Probleme der Teilnehmer wahrzunehmen, in dem es wöchentliche Meetings gab. Das Apartment liegt nah am Strand. Es wurden Ausflüge angeboten (kostenpflichtig) Der ...

Location

Europe > Southern Europe > Greece > Gazi Heraklion

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Street Animals in Greece
Contact Steffen
  Good response rate
English, German, Spanish

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