A FROME veterinary surgeon has travelled to India as a volunteer to deliver training to Indian vets to help improve their surgical technique and veterinary knowledge.
Working with the charity Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), clinical director of Frome Veterinary Centre, Lisa Redgrave, visited the charity’s international training centre in Ooty in Southern India.
About her time volunteering, Lisa said, “I’d never done work abroad with a charity, but lots of my fellow vet friends recommended WVS, so I decided to volunteer and help teach at the training centre in Ooty. It was amazing and such a rewarding experience! The Indian participants were so keen to learn and I love teaching, so it was the perfect opportunity to use my skills and give something back.
“Over 200 animals were neutered overall during my time there, and it just showed me how good veterinary practice can still be performed without all the gadgets and equipment we’re used to in the UK. We also had a few amputations and emergency cases from dog attacks and other incidents, which meant we had to respond quickly and efficiently to a number of different cases.
“I remember one dog – we named her Sticker because she just loved cuddles so always used to stick to people – she had to have a leg amputated, but she recovered really well from the surgery and is still living at the centre, waiting to be adopted. She was such an adorable puppy, I’m sure it won’t be long before she finds a home.
“Working in Ooty, treating these animals who have no-one else, and helping train new vets so they can do the same, was an incredible experience. It reminded me why I was a vet again.”
For more information about the work of Worldwide Veterinary Service, visit the website: www.wvs.org.uk
