Why did you decide to volunteer with PEACE in Mexico?
Amie: My mom original got in touch with them to help spay/neuter the cats in our condo complex near puerto Vallarta. The more I learned about them, the more I wanted to help out. It's hard seeing all the homeless dogs & cats here.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Amie: I went 2 days in a row in February to a spay/neuter clinic in a near by pueblo. I helped monitor the vitals of the dogs & cats emerging from anesthesia after their surgeries. It was held in a school room.
What advice do you have for future volunteers?
Amie: Advice would be to be ok cleaning up pee, poop, vomit from the animals, whether from being scared or from the anesthesia. It's not a lot, but it does happen & the vet staff is too busy w meds & surgery. A pen is helpful, as is a spare stopwatch or stethoscope if they have one.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Amie: I'm already a person doctor, so it was rewarding to use those skills with animals & feel I was making an impact - giving something besides tourist dollars to people and animals here.