College Thailand Veterinary Program

My experience with Loop abroad was amazing and unforgettable. It was my first time out of the country and the team leaders really made me feel safe and cared for. For the first week, we volunteered at ARK working with stray cats and dogs. I am interested in small animals in the field so this week was so exciting for me. We learned everything including basic anatomy, physicals, catheter placement, blood draws, and preparing/monitoring vitals for surgeries. We also got to assist in a spray and a neuter surgery by clamping and cutting with the veterinarian. The surgeries were fast paced and taught us how to effectively think on our feet. The weekend after this week, we got to go zip lining and explore the temples in Thailand. The zip lining was incredible and I would definitely recommend it. The second week, we went to the elephant nature park to work with elephants at the sanctuary. We were able to help prepare food for and feed the elephants, bathe them, observe them during a nutrition study, and assist in cleaning their wounds with the veterinarian. I loved working with them and the entire trip in general. You learn so much! I was worried at first about the safety and legitimacy of the program but I quickly learned that I had nothing to worry about at all.