Name: Anna
Dean
Country: Australia
From which veterinary school did you graduate? I graduated as a vet from the University of Sydney in 2003
Current/most recent professional post? Australia
Title: Veterinarian Surgeon
What type of practice ? Small Animal
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, India
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
In September, 2006, I spent a month in India with another veterinary friend - 2 weeks working at the SARAH clinic in Gangtok, 1 week setting-up and working in the Namchi clinic, and 1 week visiting other Indian sites (Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, and Delhi). The trip was my first time working in a developing country, although I had traveled through others previously, with Sikkim reminding me of trip to Nepal in 2005.
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
The sustainability of any health-related program in developing countries is important for long-term success, and VBB have assured this by focusing on training local veterinarians in Sikkim.
What do you like most about being a volunteer?
Volunteering in India took me out of my comfort zone - I was used to an inner city Sydney practice with all the support and equipment I needed. In Sikkim, I had to just rely on my surgical skills (which was a challenge in itself) and make do with whatever equipment was available.
How did you get interested in volunteeering?
In 2006, I started to get interested in developing countries and, in particular, zoonotic diseases. I commenced studying a Master of International Public Health through the University of Sydney, which I plan to complete at the end of 2007.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan on using my Masters degree to pursue a career in international public health in the future. I am now a member of the VBB Subcommittee, co-representing the portfolios of VBB Australian Projects (indigenous community work) and Research and Epidemiology.
Country: Australia
From which veterinary school did you graduate? I graduated as a vet from the University of Sydney in 2003
Current/most recent professional post? Australia
Title: Veterinarian Surgeon
What type of practice ? Small Animal
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, India
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
In September, 2006, I spent a month in India with another veterinary friend - 2 weeks working at the SARAH clinic in Gangtok, 1 week setting-up and working in the Namchi clinic, and 1 week visiting other Indian sites (Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, and Delhi). The trip was my first time working in a developing country, although I had traveled through others previously, with Sikkim reminding me of trip to Nepal in 2005.
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
The sustainability of any health-related program in developing countries is important for long-term success, and VBB have assured this by focusing on training local veterinarians in Sikkim.
What do you like most about being a volunteer?
Volunteering in India took me out of my comfort zone - I was used to an inner city Sydney practice with all the support and equipment I needed. In Sikkim, I had to just rely on my surgical skills (which was a challenge in itself) and make do with whatever equipment was available.
How did you get interested in volunteeering?
In 2006, I started to get interested in developing countries and, in particular, zoonotic diseases. I commenced studying a Master of International Public Health through the University of Sydney, which I plan to complete at the end of 2007.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan on using my Masters degree to pursue a career in international public health in the future. I am now a member of the VBB Subcommittee, co-representing the portfolios of VBB Australian Projects (indigenous community work) and Research and Epidemiology.
