Veterinary volunteerism — From the tundra to the tropics

When I graduated from veterinary school in 2012 my primary focus was to become a good veterinarian, whilst navigating the tumultuous waters that all new graduates must encounter. Once I found myself to be steadily on my path, I realized that something was missing. I wanted to give back to my community, but I wasn’t quite sure how. Since then I have been able to volunteer with multiple organizations which has taken me to remote northern communities, to the tundra of the Hudson Bay, and an island off the coast of Mexico.

If you are a veterinary professional, or aspiring to become one, then this message is for you: Let me save you a bit of time, and let’s fast-track the volunteer process with my “How To” guide on Veterinary Volunteerism.

1. Make a list of your skills

Do you love medicine? A community outreach event may be up your alley. Are you an animal welfare warrior? Your local SPCA may have animal advocacy opportunities for you. Are you a surgery fanatic? Look for remote spay/neuter opportunities. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with Isla Animals, which is based in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Once per year about 15 veterinarians and countless other volunteers rally to put on a massive spay/neuter campaign. This year we performed 1847 surgeries in 6 days. The days are long, and the challenges we encounter can be humbling. But the experience is priceless.

2. Do you want to travel, and if so, how far?

Consider whether you are willing to drive or fly. If you’re really adventurous, World Vets sets up initiatives in places such as Nicaragua, Peru, Nepal, India…just to name a few. My recommendation is start close to home, and then expand your horizons. The world is your oyster.

3. If you’re travelling, how picky are you with accommodations?

Do you require a hotel room with your own bathroom, or are you willing to camp out in a hunting cabin with no electricity or running water for 3 days? It’s an important question. One of my fondest memories is when I was stranded in a cabin while working as a trail vet for the Hudson’s Bay Quest. This is a wilderness sled dog race that takes place in the beautiful and sometimes inhospitable northern tundra near the town of Churchill, Manitoba. An unexpected turn of events had me, a team of 10 dogs, a South African musher and the Canadian Rangers, waiting out a snowstorm in a remote cabin. Our entertainment? The stunning aurora borealis and learning how to track the wolf prints that encircled our cabin.

4. Search online for veterinary volunteer organizations. Ask for recommendations on your social media accounts

My first remote clinic was the result of my response to an ad in our local veterinary medical Board’s newsletter. My second opportunity came when a friend tagged me in a post on Facebook for a group that spays and neuters inner city cats for low-income families. My third opportunity was to become a Board member for our local humane society after a conversation with a current Board member on an overnight train to Churchill. Opportunities are everywhere; you just need to know where to look. Local Facebook groups for rescues can be helpful. Contacting your local veterinary Board is a good start, as well as a good way to network with your peers. And once you get involved, the opportunities tend to find you.

5. Ask for a veterinary reference

Before you get started with an organization, ask them for a reference. Speak to another veterinary professional and find out about what to expect, and how to prepare so that everyone can benefit from your future participation. There are a lot of things to learn, and it’s easier if you don’t have to learn the hard way. Speaking of which, here are a few things that I have learned the hard way:

1. Always bring a headlamp to a spay/neuter clinic;

2. Bring extra batteries for your headlamp;

3. You may not have the surgical instruments or suture you are used to — take it slow and get used to what you have before you worry about speed;

4. Dogs with Ehrlichia bleed…a lot;

5. Caribou stew tastes best when served by candlelight on the tundra;

6. Bring your own toilet paper; and g. Ask questions before you get there.

Some of the best lessons I have learned in veterinary medicine have been the result of my diverse volunteer experiences.

I am constantly humbled by the strength of the human-animal bond, and I am infinitely excited to meet new friends and learn new things. I hope that my experiences can help guide others to explore the world from a new perspective, and to give back to the world that has given us so much.