The International Veterinary Training Center in Costa Rica has successfully trained over 200 foreign veterinarians preparing for the Preliminary Surgical Assessment (PSA) or Clinical Proficiency Exam (CPE). We have also welcomed many advanced students and recent graduates who are looking for a supervised, hands-on educational experience to enhance their surgical and anesthesia skills.
Simultaneously, it provides high-quality, ethical, and low-cost spay and neuters to local animal shelters.
Our story began in 2008 when our parent organization, Vida Volunteer, was founded. Working closely with so many colleagues in the field, helped us understand the importance of supporting fellow veterinarians and creating a healthy and respectful space where we could share our knowledge and expertise while also helping local animal shelters.
With that in mind, we set out to make our dream come true, and we officially founded the International Veterinary Training Center on July 15th, 2015.
Since then, we’ve had the pleasure of supporting many amazing foreign veterinarians who are preparing for their CPE. We have also welcomed many advanced students and recent graduates who are looking for a supervised, hands-on educational experience to enhance their skills.
As veterinary professionals, we have incredibly important jobs with lots of responsibilities. We make significant investments in our education and careers, and we don’t do it for financial reward, we do it for the emotional gratification of our work.
We love working with other veterinarians who feel just as passionate about this profession as we do, and coming together to support each other’s education path is the least we can do.
Your program fee includes one-on-one time with a team of experienced veterinarians and technicians. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), all the materials needed for surgical procedures, transportation to and from the airport, lunch during the clinic days, and participation certificate.
We also provide logistical support before and during your stay.
You asked for it, and we listened! We have now added additional training programs for the following areas:
«Remember that although experience gained from reading material and viewing videotapes, DVDs, CDs, PowerPoints, etc, is helpful in preparing for the CPE, the candidate must not consider these to be a substitute for the “hands-on” clinical instructional experience» — CPE Manual 2023
Please contact us at ivtc@vidavolunteer.org to book your session and obtain more details.
This is a Semi-private hands-on training where you will be primarily responsible for conducting surgery under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. This is a popular option with the most value. During duo sessions, participants rotate within anesthesia and surgery to ensure that everyone has the same exposure level to these areas.
Duo sessions have 5 days of clinics.
Private Sessions will be customized to your specific needs. Whether you want to develop skills or increase your confidence, our team will make it happen. This is a 1-on-1 session with our technical staff, making this option a great one for those looking for specific results. It is open for advanced students, recent graduates, or PSA/CPE candidates.
Private Sessions have 4 days of clinics.
The International Veterinary Training Center in Costa Rica has successfully trained over 200 foreign veterinarians preparing for the Preliminary Surgical Assessment (PSA) or Clinical Proficiency Exam (CPE). We have also welcomed many advanced students and recent graduates who are looking for a supervised, hands-on educational experience to enhance their surgical and anesthesia skills.
"My experience was great, I liked the individualized attention, the knowledge of the trainers, and the equipment available. Thanks to my training at IVTC I was able to be more confident and passed my exam."
Dr. Evannie Fernandez
The training team is wonderful, cooperative, helpful, doing their best to help you and to be comfortable during the training, they always understand what you need to maximize the benefits from the training
Thank you to the team!
“It was amazing, organized, helpful staff, kind people, delicious food. Really this is all that we need in anesthesia, surgery, and large animals”
Dr. Dina Morcos
