Name:Ruth Pye
Country: Australia
Age:35
From which veterinary school did you graduate? Queensland University
Current/most recent professional post? Regional Australia
What type of practice? Small animals
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program and Ladakh Street Dog Programme
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, Leh Ladakh, India
Have you volunteered before? I was overseas for a few years and went to Greece a number of times to desex cats for the Greek charity “Friends of the Cat”. I also worked at Jeevashram animal shelter in New Delhi for a few months in 2001. I went to Sikkim in May 2006 to work with the VBB-SARAH programme. I was in Ladakh with the VBB project for 3 months in 2007.
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
Volunteering is always a great way to experience a different culture and to interact in a meaningful way with the locals – not always possible when visiting another country as a traveller or tourist – it gives you a much broader perspective of life in these countries.
I have been very fortunate with my placements – while undoubtedly trying at times, overall the experiences have been incredibly positive and have benefited me as both a person and a vet.
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
One of the best aspects of the SARAH programme is undoubtedly the local staff. Many of them have been working there for a few years now - they have wonderful personalities and are so good at their jobs which makes them a real pleasure to work with!
The Ladakh project is in a unique part of the world and being able to make a positive contribution to such an incredible land and culture is quite a privilege. One of the great points of this programme is the close relationship established between VBB and the local partner group, the Ladakhi Animal Care Society (thanks especially to Janet the project co-ordinator). Having the locals so closely involved with decision making and planning re-inforces their commitment to the on-going running and success of the programme.
Country: Australia
Age:35
From which veterinary school did you graduate? Queensland University
Current/most recent professional post? Regional Australia
What type of practice? Small animals
Project Name: Vets Beyond Borders SARAH Program and Ladakh Street Dog Programme
Project Location: Gangtok Sikkim, Leh Ladakh, India
Have you volunteered before? I was overseas for a few years and went to Greece a number of times to desex cats for the Greek charity “Friends of the Cat”. I also worked at Jeevashram animal shelter in New Delhi for a few months in 2001. I went to Sikkim in May 2006 to work with the VBB-SARAH programme. I was in Ladakh with the VBB project for 3 months in 2007.
Tell us about your volunteer experience?
Volunteering is always a great way to experience a different culture and to interact in a meaningful way with the locals – not always possible when visiting another country as a traveller or tourist – it gives you a much broader perspective of life in these countries.
I have been very fortunate with my placements – while undoubtedly trying at times, overall the experiences have been incredibly positive and have benefited me as both a person and a vet.
What do you think is the best aspect of the program?
One of the best aspects of the SARAH programme is undoubtedly the local staff. Many of them have been working there for a few years now - they have wonderful personalities and are so good at their jobs which makes them a real pleasure to work with!
The Ladakh project is in a unique part of the world and being able to make a positive contribution to such an incredible land and culture is quite a privilege. One of the great points of this programme is the close relationship established between VBB and the local partner group, the Ladakhi Animal Care Society (thanks especially to Janet the project co-ordinator). Having the locals so closely involved with decision making and planning re-inforces their commitment to the on-going running and success of the programme.
What do you like most about being a volunteer?
The chance to live and work in a place that is a world away from my comfortable life in Australia, and to contribute to a programme that has far reaching and long term benefits for the human and animal populations alike.
