Veterinary Student Volunteer Trip to Southeast Asia: Helping People and Their Animals

Kayley Smith Start Date: Feb 18, 2014 - End Date: May 28, 2014
  • Thailand
  • Indonesia

My Travel Story

by: Kayley Smith Start Date: Feb 18, 2014 - End Date: May 28, 2014
I recently had the privilege of being selected to represent the Atlantic Veterinary College in this year’s ASEAN Veterinary Volunteer Program in Southeast Asia. I am the first Canadian selected for this international program, where I will join other veterinary students from a variety of countries to work with companion and livestock animals in a public health context. We will spend three weeks traveling around Thailand and Indonesia, learning about international and rural veterinary work, while helping those communities that we visit. We will be engaged in various activities including:

• Volunteering at a local dog shelter, providing veterinary care and learning about local shelter medicine and issues

• Working with rural farmers (dairy, beef, goat) to improve their animal welfare and livestock health, all while increasing their socio-economic status

• Working towards public awareness of animal health issues and completing community volunteer projects related to individual community needs

• Working on various independent study projects including cultural topics like livelihood, basic health care, education, socio-economic status, etc.

• Touring local food animal production areas and learning about associated animal health assessments and production lines

     This is all while being immersed in the culture, living as the locals do and learning about the local veterinary teachings and philosophy. I have a passion for international veterinary work, and am confident this opportunity will give me the skills and confidence to continue with my dream of helping to control infectious/emerging diseases in less fortunate countries. I am honored to represent Canada in this program, and to do what I can to personally help those I meet on my journey. I greatly look forward to applying this to my future veterinary career, and seeing how this will directly affect the Thai and Indonesian people, as well as the animals involved.

     I am asking for small donations to assist with the travel costs of this program. I truly believe that the benefits the local people will receive from this free veterinary care will leave an unforgettable impact on their daily lives, including my own. If you yourself are able to donate, or know anyone who would be willing to donate to this amazing cause, please share this so I may reach as many people as possible. As a student I am grateful for any assistance, and even the smallest of donations help. Thank you for reading about my cause and I will be available to answer any questions you may have ☺.
  • Thailand
  • Indonesia