OSU Veterinary Students Bring Vet Care to Mexico
A study abroad program through Oregon State University is giving pre-veterinary and veterinary students a reality check about the profession — and helping them develop skills that rural U.S. communities desperately need.
From June 16–27, 26 pre-vet students and two veterinary students joined OSU faculty in central Mexico, where they worked alongside licensed veterinarians to treat more than 600 animals over six clinic days. Services included deworming, hoof care, spay/neuter surgeries, and education for animal owners.
The program, led by José Uscanga Aguirre (College of Agricultural Sciences) and Dr. Kelsey Jurek (Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine), was created to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world veterinary practice. For many students, hands-on experience is a major barrier to vet school admission, which typically requires 2,000+ hours of clinical experience.
The trip is also designed to be affordable, with a $1,189 total fee, making it one of the most accessible international opportunities for OSU students.
Beyond technical skills, students gain insight into how veterinary medicine is practiced in resource-limited environments — conditions similar to those in rural U.S. communities where veterinary shortages are common.
The team hopes the experience will inspire more graduates to consider rural practice, where access to care remains a challenge both in Mexico and the U.S.
