Aurea Ocampo - Thailand

This summer, I spent three weeks in Thailand volunteering with People and Animals Thailand (PAT) and Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT)! These experiences honestly deepened my understanding of veterinary medicine and cross-cultural engagement. 

I spent the first two weeks at PAT, a trap-neuter-release clinic in the city of Cha Am, where there was a high prevalence of stray cats and dogs. Here, we worked closely with local residents, setting up traps, and using darting capture methods. I was also able to build my technician skills such as practicing intubating, giving vaccinations, anesthesia monitoring, IV catheter placing, suturing on live animals, and more (I even learned quite a bit of Thai). These were unique hands-on experiences I might never have had in my usual training in the states.

For my third week, I interned at WFFT’s Elephant Refuge, a sanctuary focused on ethical animal tourism and recovery for elephants who had endured years of exploitation or neglect. My daily responsibilities included preparing specialized meals and enrichment toys, maintaining enclosures, and helping to provide a secure, natural environment. Working at WFFT gave me a firsthand look at what it takes to run a sanctuary rooted in ethical care, where rescued animals truly come first. 

Both experiences increased my cultural awareness and understanding of responsible global volunteering. Working with Thai staff showed me different approaches to animal handling and outreach, and learning basic Thai created a sense of respect for local language and culture. By immersing myself in Thailand's daily life - browsing night markets every night, engaging with local customs, tasting new foods, and practicing Thai with the people I met - gave me meaningful insight into Thailand’s rich culture.

As I reflect on my summer in Thailand, I am grateful for the many friendships and professional connections I formed with both local colleagues and fellow volunteers. Sharing meals, laughter, and daily challenges with new friends not only made the hard work rewarding but also created a genuine sense of belonging within a community. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide care for animals, and to work alongside Thai communities - where they pushed me to think differently about what veterinary medicine can look like in new settings. 

There is a quote that I heard at WFFT that really stuck with me, “It is hard work, but it is heart work” -WFFT.