Name:Mark Westman
Country: Australia
Age:26
From which veterinary school did you graduate? Sydney University
Current/most recent professional post? RSPCA NSW
What type of practice? 100% small animal, mix of private cases/strays/cruelty cases
Title: Veterinarian
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, India
Have you volunteered before? Yes, through PAC on Koh PhaNgan in Thailand January/February 2004
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
Fantastic – loved it – the best organised volunteer project I have observed. Plus Sikkim is such a beautiful setting for the project!
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
Three things – firstly VBBs efficient organisation - the program runs extremely well and has a great emphasis on long term sustainability (eg training up Indian vets); secondly VBB’s desire to look after its volunteers – free lunch and accommodation really do make a big difference when travelling; and thirdly the program’s focus on not only animal welfare and health but also the intertwining of human health concerns.
Country: Australia
Age:26
From which veterinary school did you graduate? Sydney University
Current/most recent professional post? RSPCA NSW
What type of practice? 100% small animal, mix of private cases/strays/cruelty cases
Title: Veterinarian
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, India
Have you volunteered before? Yes, through PAC on Koh PhaNgan in Thailand January/February 2004
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
Fantastic – loved it – the best organised volunteer project I have observed. Plus Sikkim is such a beautiful setting for the project!
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
Three things – firstly VBBs efficient organisation - the program runs extremely well and has a great emphasis on long term sustainability (eg training up Indian vets); secondly VBB’s desire to look after its volunteers – free lunch and accommodation really do make a big difference when travelling; and thirdly the program’s focus on not only animal welfare and health but also the intertwining of human health concerns.
What do you like most about being a volunteer?
To me, these sort of programs in developing countries are veterinary science at its best – working under duress in difficult conditions, with the desire to improve a overall community by addressing both animal welfare and human health issues. I love being a part of such important programs! It’s what veterinary science at its core is all about.
