Our focus is aimed at helping communities in Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile that face significant animal health and welfare challenges. Our goal is to collaborate with veterinarians on projects such as humane population control of dogs and cats through spay/neuter programs and to help promote the importance of wildlife conservation. Together we hope to forge new relationships within these countries and make a lasting impact on their communities and resident animals. During our travels this summer we will have the opportunity to continue our development as student veterinarians, exchange ideas and work together with local veterinarians to help solve relevant issues in these regions. Your donations are greatly appreciated and will be used for the promotion of a better future for animals and humans alike.

Placements:

• Temuco Humane Society – Chile
• La Senda Verde – Bolivia

A little bit about ourselves:

Ian Ryerse: My previous travel experience has taken me to many places in the world, but I’ve only just seen the tip of the iceberg. My first time flying took me to Japan and I felt completely immersed in their culture. Since then I have traveled through some of the United States, Cuba, Jamaica and all across Canada. My most recent travel experience took me to a small town of just over 9,000 people in Hinton, Alberta. Here I worked with a wildlife biologist on several different projects where I gained invaluable hands on experience. Through my past volunteer experience, I have developed a thorough understanding of routine veterinary procedures that I hope to share and utilize when volunteering with Global Vets. I continue to be drawn towards exploring new countries, learning about new cultures and languages, and meeting new
 people. I am excited about the chance to combine my love of exploration with my passion for promoting animal health and welfare internationally through participating in the Global Vets 2016 program.

Miyuki Kumagai: I’ve always had an interest in being actively involved in various types of volunteer work both locally and internationally. Through my past volunteer experiences, I have been able to gain insight into and contribute to methods used to promote optimal animal health and welfare, contribute to scientific education within the community, and collaborate with others to enhance learning in veterinary medicine. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally to places throughout Canada, England, and extensively within the United States and Japan. I am very excited to be participating in the Global Vets 2016 program, as I will be able to contribute to promoting animal health and welfare internationally, while visiting new places with immensely different cultures.