Gloria Bercerra Cortes - Ecuador

This summer, I had the privilege of traveling to Cotacachi, Ecuador, to work with the Amici Cannis Foundation. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the veterinary team, the locals, and even the community street dogs.

Cotacachi is a town in northern Ecuador, renowned for its stunning landscapes, artisanal leatherwork, and vibrant Indigenous celebrations.

At the heart of the community is the Amici Cannis Hospital de Animales—a full-service hospital that takes a holistic approach to caring for some of Ecuador's most vulnerable people and animals. Beyond the hospital, the team also provides ambulatory transport, at-home visits, vaccine and sterilization campaigns, school presentations, and street dog care. Their mission is to ensure that veterinary care is accessible to all.

Some of my most memorable moments include triaging a hit-by-car patient, going door-to-door in Indigenous communities to offer services, watching my first orthopedic surgery, performing my first cat neuter, and helping a puppy recover from parvovirus.

On my first day at the hospital, I began caring for Rita, a severely ill street puppy battling parvo. Each day, I performed her physical exams and kept her nourished through a feeding tube. We all celebrated when she finally ate on her own, and then again when she was adopted. Moments like that remind me why I love this profession.

Practicing veterinary medicine in a different country exposed me to new cases and creative approaches to care. I grew more confident in my clinical and Spanish skills and was inspired to rethink how veterinary care can look in the U.S.

One key lesson I learned is that veterinary medicine is highly adaptable. In rural vaccine campaigns, owners sometimes brought cats in backpacks and dogs on makeshift rope leashes. We even vaccinated pets on hillsides or in burrows—wherever we could safely reach them. But one thing always remained constant: compassionate, quality care for both people and animals.

I also visited La Verde Oveja, a sheep farm dedicated to training, employing, and empowering local people in the art of producing milk, cheese, and lamb products. Working in partnership with the local Indigenous community, they support programs such as English classes and clean water system development.

Both Amici Cannis and La Verde Oveja are deeply committed to uplifting people, animals, and communities. I can’t wait to see how their efforts continue to grow, especially with the new hospital currently under construction. I was grateful to take part in fundraising and advocacy efforts that help sustain programs supporting underserved people and animals.

During my free time, I explored Cotacachi’s landscapes, enjoyed traditional meals, and joined in cultural celebrations with friends.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside the Amici Cannis team. It was a privilege to contribute to their mission, even in a small way. Leaving was bittersweet, but as my friends reminded me, there’s no word for goodbye here—only ‘see you later.’