Tree Of Life For Animals

My Volunteer Experience

I volunteered with TOLFA from January to April 2008. I left my job and friends in the UK to gain experience of working with animals, and have a bit of an adventure, but I didn’t really know what to expect. I was looking forward to returning to India after my first visit last year, but I wasn’t prepared for just what a huge effect this experience would have on me.

From the moment I arrived at TOLFA I was proud to be a part of the shelter’s work. I met the founder’s mum, Wendy, and Canadian volunteer Erika with whom I would share many surreal dog-centred moments over the next few weeks. I also met the three permanent vets, who all must have been chosen specially for the way they can remain unflappable and good-humoured in some very stressful situations, and the compounders – possibly the friendliest and most genuinely nice group of blokes you could hope to meet.

Clara and few of the new friends she made at TOLFA

As a non-vet volunteer, spending time with the animals (mostly street dogs, but also some owner dogs, cats, peacocks, monkeys, cows and donkeys) and getting to know the needs and characters of the individuals was what I could do best. By checking the kennels, providing extra feeding and attention every day, I was able to observe the animals in a way that the vet team (with their constant round of surgeries, treatments and paperwork) were not always able to.

Learning to identify certain symptoms I could advise the vets of, being able to give care and support to a timid or traumatised dog, taking puppies out into the sunshine to release just some of their boundless energy, or just being there for an animal that wasn’t going to make it, but at last had somewhere peaceful to rest and someone to hold them and care about them as they died. It was not always easy. But working at the shelter I realised that even every little thing I did could help someone, either human or animal, in some way.

Every day is always so different, so many animals come and go, some you don’t get chance to know very well, some begin to feel like family and you can’t wait to see them when you arrive in the morning. I met and worked with several other volunteers during my three months and it’s great to get to know people in these circumstances – you can really bond with someone when you share a scooter ride with them over rough terrain every day!! So not only do the animals become family, but the friends you make do as well, locals and visitors alike.

During my time at the shelter I saw many changes – from almost feeling my face freeze on the way to work (if you are thinking of volunteering during the winter, believe them when they say it’s cold!) to getting sunburn, I saw the seasons change and the challenges faced by the shelter change too – in January and February we would spend half the day just making sure the kennels would be warm enough overnight (oh God – the sacks!), but as the temperature rose and it began to get harder to work at the same pace, so we would have to make sure all the dogs have enough shade and water as well.

I was also there to see the new puppy kennel completed, a welcome addition allowing vulnerable young dogs a better environment to survive in. Another welcome addition was my newest friend, Sharda, the first permanent, local, female member of staff. Employed principally as cook of the specially designed nutritional dog diet, she will turn her hand to anything and is someone it always feels like a privilege to work alongside.

Sharda and Clara with puppies in the kennels

You experience a lot at a place like TOLFA in three months, and I can’t possibly recall for you now every event that’s left it’s mark, but I feel I have to mention the group of dogs that made the greatest impression on me – those with hind-limb paralysis. Anyone who was with me at the shelter will know how I just love those paralysed dogs – their personalities just seem to jump out at you and I have fond memories of them the most.

Some of them were sadly destined not to make it, but imagine the difference a few days or weeks at TOLFA made to their lives, rather then being out on the streets, fending for themselves, alone with their disability and in all likelihood slowly starving to death. Those that are brought in to TOLFA are given a place with food and comfort – and believe me that is what these dogs want – they are the scrappiest, yappiest yet most affectionate bunch, even though they like to put on a brave front.

I was able to spend time working with these dogs, using my own amateur physiotherapy techniques to try and bring life back to dragging limbs.

Clara with hind-limb paralysis dogs and a bowl of boiled eggs after some physio

It wasn’t always going to be a success, sometimes the injury brings about a series of other health problems, but therapy like that always has some benefit. Even bathing a little paralysed puppy every day can make his life better for a time. And being able to remember doing that, making a difference to even a small life for a short time, and being part of the team at TOLFA, has made my own life better. I want to thank everyone involved with TOLFA in India and in the UK, my friends and family who made kind donations to my trip and those who donated collars and leads while I was out there (and are still donating) for making such an unforgettable experience.

Clara and Edward - one of the puppies with hind-limb paralysis who has now begun to walk

Clara Cochrane

Project Raja Volunteer

Jan - April 2008

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 at 09:12 and is filed under Previous Volunteers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.