Name: Kirsty Officer
Country: Australia
From which veterinary school did you graduate? Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
Current/most recent professional post? Various practices in Victoria, Western Australia and the UK
Title: Veterinarian Surgeon
What type of practice ? Mixed, and small animal
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, India
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
I volunteered with the SARAH programme for a total of 4 months in 2007 and I am returning for another 2 months in the beginning of 2008. During my stays I have spent some time in the main clinic in Gangtok and also worked in various mobile clinics including at Jorethang, Melli, Soreng and Rhenock. I got to see some beautiful countryside, work with some fantastic people, eat a lot of good food, and meet some lovely dogs.
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
I like that fact that the program aims to do so much more than just desex dogs. While this is undoubtedly a very important aspect, it is not the singular aim and achieving numbers is not done at the expense of teaching and training local staff effectively and thoroughly, treating other health problems that the dogs sometimes present with, and raising public awareness about the program.
What do you like most about being a volunteer?
I like the fact that you have a really important job to do, and a finite set of resources with which to do it, and that somehow the combination of the two allows you to overcome many challenges, achieve much, and get a lot of satisfaction. I also like the fact that as a volunteer you get the opportunity to work in parts of the world you might never have otherwise visited, and you come away with an experience that is quite different to that you would have as a tourist.
Country: Australia
From which veterinary school did you graduate? Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
Current/most recent professional post? Various practices in Victoria, Western Australia and the UK
Title: Veterinarian Surgeon
What type of practice ? Mixed, and small animal
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, India
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
I volunteered with the SARAH programme for a total of 4 months in 2007 and I am returning for another 2 months in the beginning of 2008. During my stays I have spent some time in the main clinic in Gangtok and also worked in various mobile clinics including at Jorethang, Melli, Soreng and Rhenock. I got to see some beautiful countryside, work with some fantastic people, eat a lot of good food, and meet some lovely dogs.
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
I like that fact that the program aims to do so much more than just desex dogs. While this is undoubtedly a very important aspect, it is not the singular aim and achieving numbers is not done at the expense of teaching and training local staff effectively and thoroughly, treating other health problems that the dogs sometimes present with, and raising public awareness about the program.
What do you like most about being a volunteer?
I like the fact that you have a really important job to do, and a finite set of resources with which to do it, and that somehow the combination of the two allows you to overcome many challenges, achieve much, and get a lot of satisfaction. I also like the fact that as a volunteer you get the opportunity to work in parts of the world you might never have otherwise visited, and you come away with an experience that is quite different to that you would have as a tourist.
