Our Latest Volunteer - Eilidh
I volunteered at TOLFA in between my fourth and final year of vet school hoping to gain some valuable (and much needed) surgical experience. What I got surpassed all my expectations! I was instantly struck at how much of a genuine difference the clinic made - the numbers of animals being treated on a daily basis was quite staggering especially for a clinic still in its infancy - I can only imagine how hard Rachel and her team have had to work in the past year!As a student it was an amazing opportunity to see things I’d never see in Scotland - especially with respect to cattle medicine. Many of the cows I saw had suffered road traffic accidents and sustained horrific compound fractures which would usually mean euthanasia in the UK, but it was incredible just how well they could manage after an amputation and some TLC. I still do a double take when I see a three legged cow strut pass!My trip overlapped the Festival of Urs, which involved mass dog catching and neutering - I can only describe it as manic! I would go in every morning to see Rachel surrounded by a sea of dogs, working away as if completely oblivious to the chaos around her (it took a cup of Nadja’s chai and a few deep breaths before I could even begin to function!) Everyone worked so hard during that time- it was incredible how much was achieved. The veterinary experience I’ve gained has been brilliant but it was the staff at the clinic who really made my trip- their generosity and kindness was truly humbling- they are such a special group of people - thanks everyone for making my visit so wonderful!Eilidh Gunn, July 2007 
Eilidh with Shispal and Sitaram, 2 of our animal assistantsRead more about our Project Raja Volunteer Scheme at the Tree of Life for Animals.