Painter '25 gains hands-on experience in wildlife veterinary medicine
Kyla Painter '25 from Wildomar, Calif., spent two intensive weeks in Panama working with seasoned veterinarians and learning about the care and treatment of Central American wildlife. A biology and public health double-major on the pre-veterinary medicine track, Painter gained hands-on experience in wildlife veterinary medicine.
At the Pan-American Conservation Association (APPC), the leading wildlife rescue organization in Panama, Painter helped rehabilitate animals affected by deforestation, over-development, poaching and the illegal pet trade. She shadowed surgeries, rescues and animal releases, which deepened her understanding of the challenges of wildlife conservation in Panama.
Painter found the program through Loop Abroad, the largest pre-veterinary study abroad program in the United States. As the first Augustana student to apply to the program, Painter worked with the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs. According to Loop Abroad, admission to the veterinary program is selective, and Painter was chosen based on her outstanding academic transcript, compelling admissions essay and strong professional references.
The rigorous program gave Painter the opportunity to assist in a veterinary clinic that caters to wildlife, small animals and exotic species while working at a bustling wildlife rehabilitation facility that specializes in sloths.
Guided by Dr. Julio Reyes, the medical director of Centro Veterinario Panamá, Painter developed vital skills in clinical examinations, handling, restraint and medical therapies for a range of exotic species of sloths.
Painter said her work with the sloths was a critical step for her personal and professional development.
"Being able to help orphaned sloths in Panama at the APPC, electrocuted howler monkeys in Costa Rica at the JRC [Jaguar Rescue Center], as well as trafficked and injured animals brought into Centro Veterinario Panama has instilled in me the need for more wildlife veterinarians and more conservation efforts to help keep these animals alive," she said.
Throughout the program, Painter participated in workshops focused on radiography and imaging techniques and conducted clinical examinations on various species, including sloths, kinkajous and exotic birds. She also attended lectures covering crucial topics in Central American wildlife medicine and conservation.
When she wasn’t working in the clinic or attending workshops, Painter explored Panama's breathtaking natural beauty. She ziplined through the Gamboa rainforest, visited tropical waterfalls and relaxed on the beaches of the San Blas Islands.
"It was a life-changing experience in my career, working closely and learning about the wildlife animals of Costa Rica and Panama, learning that I can make a difference in the health of the animals and help uphold the value these animals have in the culture of Latin America," Painter said.
by Genevieve Ryan '26