Working as a volunteer overseas
From time to time the BVA Overseas Group is contacted by colleagues who wish to spend a short period undertaking voluntary work overseas. We have produced a list of charities and organisations which might occasionally seek volunteer veterinarians to assist in clinics or with specific projects. The Overseas Group can provide general advice itself as well as putting enquirers in touch with colleagues who have served (or may even still be serving) in a specific country or region. (For further information please contact Helena Cotton at BVA - helenac@bva.co.uk).
Recent Requests for volunteers
See the Overseas Newsletter for recent requests.
Guidance notes on working Overseas
The BVA Overseas Group has produced guidance notes on working overseas. Intended to provide some basic information and guidance to those who are interested in this sort of work – as well as to veterinary students undertaking projects overseas - the series now covers:
- Introduction - general comments and advice
- Cat neutering programmes
- Street dog population control
- Donkeys
- Contributing to animal welfare in developing countries
- Equipment – when working in the field
- Personal safety
- Health & safety
- Insurance
- North Africa
- Nepal
- India
- China
- Peru
- Sources of advice and further reading
Broadening horizons, forging links
The Overseas group would also strongly recommend the article entitled 'Broadening horizons, forging links: working as a volunteer overseas' by Jack Reece MRCVS to any would be volunteers. Taking time out of day-to-day practice life and working overseas as a volunteer veterinary surgeon offers opportunities for broadening horizons, gaining experience with unfamiliar species, making new friends and, perhaps, reflecting on one’s career to date. In this article published in In Practice (vol 24 No 1, January 2002), Jack Reece MRCVS explains how he became involved with the Help in Suffering animal welfare charity in India, and describes some of the ins and outs of life as a volunteer.
Broadening horizons, forging links: working as a volunteer overseas
(pdf file, approx 299KB - a large file, please be patient...)
Another useful article for would be volunteers is 'On a Mission: caring for working equids abroad' by Gigi Kay MRCVS. (In Practice, vol 29 No 2, February 2007) After an unpromising start, Gigi Kay carved a career for herself working for organisations providing veterinary care for the working equids in some of the poorest communities overseas. Here she describes some of her experiences, as well as the challenges facing the communities, their animals and, in turn, the organisations striving to help them.
On a Mission: caring for working equids abroad (pdf.)
Experiences of working abroad as a volunteer
People and pets in Zambia
Combining her veterinary skills with a desire to help some of the world’s poorest people Jo Arthur worked as a volunteer to support families affected by HIV/AIDS. Read the BSAVA News article describing Jo's work.
Work Experience Thai-Style
"Koh Tao is a small island situated on Thailand's east coast..." (.pdf) Jacky Jonker MRCVS talks of her experiences working at the Noistar Thai Animal Rescue Foundation.
Sri Lankan strays and street animals
Georgina Hyams VN describes the challenges she and her fellow volunteers faced on their Sri Lankan animal charity trips in Winter 2006/7 and Summer 2006 (both .pdf).
Before joining the real world
Catherine Henstridge MRCVS spent some time working at Pang Ngan Animal Care, based on Ko Pang Ngan, an island off the south-east coast of Thailand. In "Before joining the real world……". Catherine describes her experiences at the clinic.
A postcard from Marrakech
Helen Shreeve MRCVS spent nine weeks working for SPANA, the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad, in Morocco, before continuing her travels to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Here she gives her first impressions of life in Morocco.
Voluntary Service Overseas
See also reports and newsletters received from Sue Guthrie (Nepal), Pete Gray August '03, April '04 (Uganda) and Erica Ayers (India) during their VSO postings.
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