NAIT’s Veterinary Technology Students Care for Crocodiles, Monkeys, and More in Guatemala

Can you imagine weighing a crocodile or anesthetizing a parrot? These are only some of the tasks NAIT students got to perform while in Guatemala.

To the Veterinary Technology students who visited ARCAS in Peten, Guatemala this summer, the most familiar animals at the wildlife sanctuary were the small, white-tailed deer. As a rule, neither the Alberta wilderness nor the local community of pet owners is host to crocodiles, certain exotic birds or monkeys.

But, really, that was the point.

The educational trip — attended Aug. 19 - Sept. 2 by students Jenifer Angell, Claudia Cruz (Conservation Biology ’20), Asia Smart and Caitlyn Weisenburger, and instructional assistant Michelle Spurway (Animal Health Technology ’94) — was a crash course in exotic animal care. As the NAIT program’s first offering of its kind, it helped prepare students for careers in northern climes that may occasionally go to more than just the dogs (and cats) of a conventional clinic.

“We do anticipate parallel skill development,” said instructor Nichole Boutilier (Bachelor of Technology in Management ’18) in the lead-up to the trip. “Students are going there to learn a unique set of skills and then bring that back to Canada. So we're bringing students back who will be able to engage with clients and patients in a more inclusive way.”

During their time in Guatemala, the group contributed to operations across ARCAS. Some days, explains Spurway, they’d cover “maintenance,” or cleaning enclosures and feeding occupants that were under observation following treatment. Other days, they worked in the clinic alongside the vet, tending to new patients. “So they would do anything from anesthetizing a parrot to catching and weighing crocodiles to x-raying racoons,” says Spurway.

The result was improvements on two fronts. First, a number of Guatemalan animals got a good chance at recovery thanks to the helping hands of four students from Canada. And second, those students — such as Cruz and Weisenburger, who shared with us their experiences of immersion in an unfamiliar wilderness — gained new perspectives that will forever underpin their careers, wherever those take them.

Why did you want to go on this trip?

Claudia Cruz: It's always been a goal to work or volunteer in a Latin country to help animals in any way I could and [be] closer to home — my family is from Central America. We immigrated to Canada when I was young. Even growing up, I wanted to be involved in wildlife conservation in my homeland and give back to my community.

This journey to Guatemala represented a profound opportunity for personal and professional growth, allowing me to learn, contribute and connect with my Latin roots while supporting local initiatives.

Caitlyn Weisenburger: I am a very hands-on learner and struggle with theory learning. I figured this trip would allow me the opportunity to apply what I have learned in my first year and engage in very specialized patient care.

What were the most valuable skills you learned?

Cruz: I learned how to be more out of my comfort zone and do things that might scare me in the moment, but wouldn't otherwise get the chance to complete. From having to work with and perform medical procedures on species I had never been up close to [before], I was able to learn how to handle those situations and learn from the people around me.

Weisenburger: Safe restraint of unfamiliar animals and husbandry [breeding] care of exotic animals.

Are those skills transferable to a future career in Canada?

Cruz: Yes. Working or volunteering in other countries or new areas can be a great way to learn skills that you may not have the chance to learn where you are now.

Weisenburger: There are some exotic clinics that I could transfer these skills to. However, I believe the innovation aspect can be transferable in many cases. This trip definitely taught me to work with what you have.

What was the biggest challenge during the trip?

Cruz: Adjusting to a completely new environment and limited resources, including limitations on technology, as well as being away from home, including family and friends.

Weisenburger: Bug bites — not surprising considering we were staying in the jungle.

Were there any big surprises for you?

Cruz: One of the biggest surprises was how fast paced the centre was and how they push you to do many new things quickly. I remember on our first day we were already handling macaws and monkeys!

What did you enjoy the most?

Weisenburger: I really enjoyed the lectures from the biologist and veterinarians.

Cruz: I enjoyed the diversity of animals and the connections I was able to make with my classmates.

If future students in the program have the opportunity to make a trip like this, what advice would you give them?

Weisenburger: Do it. Be prepared to participate in animal care with species you never thought you would interact with.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to travel to ARCAS. Working with these unique animals boosted my animal-handling confidence. Between the hands-on experience and the lectures I learned so much about exotic animals, and many concepts I can transfer to other animal practices.

Cruz: Be prepared for the unexpected. Keep your mind open to trying and learning new things, but be sure to stay true to who you are, too. There is so much to learn and grow from when you go on adventures like this one and there is also the chance for others to learn from you as well.