As I write this I have to keep stopping myself from thinking ‘totally fantastic, amazing, brilliant’ and take off the rose-tinted specs…it definitely was all of those things but could also be really tiring and testing at himes but it’s these times that just make it all the more worthwhile!
I joined the WVS team for this trip as a clinic assistance and was a little apprehensive about whether I would be efficient enough as I am a vet student so am much more practiced at getting in the way! I need not have worried as I couldn’t have asked to work with a nicer, more supportive bunch of people.
After finally identifying lovely Aneesa, the vet nurse, at Madrid airport (short, dark curly hair doesn’t narrow it down in Spain!) and enjoying the delights of Iberia ‘making a bad experience worse’ Air, I knew we were going to have a fun few weeks. This was confirmed when I got to sandy Colan and met the other member of the team, Marisol (Veterinarian) who was already busy washing an itchy dog with long term volunteer vet Amy from the US.
Rosemary, the very welcoming and accommodating hostess, immediately rustled up some food and so was the first of many happy feasts on her cosy veranda!
Our accommodation was basic but homely and clean and there was even a hot shower – if you time it right!
We quickly established a daily routine. Marina (the local spay clinic coordinator) would arrive with between 10 to 15 patients, most were owned but still lived on the streets. The majority of which were dogs but there were always a few cats. Most of our patients were females; apparently the macho South American culture makes castrates more of a rarity!
After a quick clinical exam we gave pre-meds (cleared up vomit!), clipped (my razor blade shaving skills are now quite impressive), placed IV catheters and gave induction agents in a cycle that enabled three dogs to be operated on at any one time. Of course there were some hairy times as you would imagine given the basic operating facilities, i/v anaesthesia and general condition of most of our patients but everyone worked tirelessly to keep things running smoothly and prevent mishaps.
Once the patients had recovered and been sent ‘home’ the clinic had to be cleaned, drapes washed (by hand) and instruments organised for the pressure coker etc. It was tiring but everyone helped make it a nice way to wind down after surgery and get mo Spanish practice with Ingrid the charity’s resident vet. We generally had a few minutes to stroll along the beach in the evening or have a beer before another of Rosemary’s delicious dinners.
Colan itself is a small fishing viallge in Piura. It has a strong seasonal tourist draw so was fairly deolate during the winter with transport to the nearest town being rather restricted, however after a long day n the clinic this wasn’t too much of a problem! It wasn’t all work and no play; we managed to fit in a little weekend trip up to the surf and backpacker resort of Mancora on our days off!
Once a week we took a mobile clinic to nearby villages. These were really run as we got to meet more local volunteers and at times it seemed like half of the community were peering in watching the operations. Often the surgery would take place on a volunteer’s kitchen table which we would all ear around once the operations were done! These days are a really important part of AHSFA’s education programme and it was fantastic to be a part of that. There is a large working equine population in some of the surrounding villages so one day we set up an equine vaccination and worming station and even got to witness the farmer’s daily commute with donkeys transported across the river on little paddle boats and horses swimming along behind.
So, it was hard work and difficult at times but these were far outweighed by the great people, fantastic charity ethos, rewarding work and amazing location. It was a truly unforgettable experience both culturally and educationally… I can’t wait to go back!
