The Most Impactful 2 Months of My Life

This past summer, I spent two months in Thailand working with Rescue Paws and the communities of Khao Tao and Hua Hin, and while it was physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, it was an experience I will never forget. I learned so much about the culturally differences between the United States and Thailand, especially in terms of animal welfare. Thai culture believes dogs to be the lowest form of life, so these animals are put in a position to be abused and abandoned. They also do not believe in euthanization because it disrupts the process that the soul has to go through in order to increase to a higher being.

Before this experience, I would never have been able to wrap my head around these concepts, let alone accept them... and at first, I really couldn't. But after about a month there, I was able to put myself in their place, which later helped me to share my views in a culturally-correct way.

Other than my assimilation to the Thai culture, I made so many amazing friends and connections while I was there (both furry and human). The other volunteers, as well as the staff, all had the same mindsets as I did and cared so deeply and openly about what they were doing that it was truly inspirational. I cannot help but admire the work that these people are doing and how many animal lives they have changed, and I am so glad that I got to help in that process. It's honestly a miracle I didn't come home with 20 new pets...

This experience opened my eyes to the differences in animal treatment around the world and it gave me a new place and family that I feel I can call "home". I am looking forward to the day that I can go back there again :)