Our Latest Volunteer - Nic
I was initially leading a team of classmates to TOLFA as part of our practical experience within our veterinary curriculum, but the trip to TOLFA was initially fraught with difficulties. This was due to the fact that 2 weeks prior to our team departure, tragedy struck. Mumbai was hit by the now infamous terrorist attack on the Oberoi hotel and Taj Mahal palace. This caused the 3 other team members who were supposed to head out to TOLFA with me to pull out, citing personal concerns for their safety.
I was left alone to be the only one still heading out to TOLFA. I was determined to not allow anything to stop me, as I felt that the risk was low due to the heightened security post-mumbai. And boy, was I in for the adventure of my life. Till this day I am glad I did not allow the tragedy that happened in Mumbai to stop me from pursuing the trip to TOLFA. There was not a single moment while I was in India, was there a cause for concern for my safety.
Nic and some of his new found friends
After a long 15 hours worth of flights and transfers, I finally arrived in Pushkar and it was beautiful. My local TOLFA contact, Clara, was nothing but nice and helpful to me on my first day there. She went out of her way to make me feel comfortable, making sure that I was well settled in.
Initially, I wanted to get to the hospital immediately upon arrival but Clara advised against it and reckon I should first rest and only start work the next day. I took her advice and she showed me around Pushkar, visiting the various temples and sights.
Pushkar just took my breath away. It was a barrage on all the five senses for the uninitiated such as myself. It was really strange for someone as myself to see cattle wondering everywhere on the streets as if they were part of the residents of Pushkar.
As a vet student from Australia venturing out to India on such a trip was invaluable. I was able to see first hand diseases that I have only read about in books. Reading about it is one thing, but to see certain diseases such as distemper and rabies first hand was an eye opening experience. Diseases such as these have been almost/totally eradicated in developed countries due to the availability of vaccinations and a low population of strays.
My diagnostic skills over the next month were honed using just my keen observation and guidance from the local staff. This was due to a lack of sophisticated diagnostic machines available. It was under these conditions that I understood the importance of a thorough physical exam (if the animal allows it, of course). As an experienced vet once told me, ‘more diseases are missed due to a lack of observation, rather than a lack of knowledge of it’.
Performing surgery under less than sterile conditions was a first for me at TOLFA. But I had learnt to make do with what I had and soon realised the enormous propensity of the animals to heal themselves. In the 1 month that I was there, I learnt to cope with performing surgeries without fancy state-of-the-art equipment, and yet still doing them within medically acceptable levels. I also had the great opportunity to learn doing flank speys, which was not within my university curriculum.
Being at TOLFA also enabled me to observe the various treatment methods in regards to the different disease. Most of the time, the vets at TOLFA would have to come up with ingenious way for treating different diseases due to certain limitations and equipment constraints. It was also amazing to see the local hospital staff and their way with the animals, in terms of handling and restraining.
Everyone that I have I met at TOLFA have not only been nice and accommodating to me, they have also gone out of their way to ensure that my experience there was an enriching one. Every single one of them has left an impression on me. These people not only include those working at TOLFA, but also the local friends that I have made.
Meeting the founder Rachel was one of the most humbling moments. It was amazing to see how much one person is capable of if he/she puts her mind to it. Her tireless work ethic as well as unwavering love for animals was certainly overwhelming. For someone to do have set up TOLFA to what it is today was beyond my comprehension. Rachel’s commitment and love towards animals is unequivocally beyond doubt.
Being at TOLFA really changed my life and opened my eyes to the world. That’s just not only from veterinary point of view but also personally as a human being. All the people that I have met in India, especially the staff at TOLFA have been amazing. I just can’t thank them enough for letting me be part of their lives. It was an amazing journey and a privilege. I am currently looking forward to going back there when I graduate at the end of the year.