Student Helps Animals During Study Abroad

This summer, senior biology major Natalie Biddle spent two weeks in Thailand helping animals and learning hands-on what it’s like to be a veterinarian.

Traveling with the study abroad organization Loop Abroad, Biddle was selected as part of a small team that volunteered giving care at a dog shelter and spent a week working directly with rescued elephants at an elephant sanctuary.
 
The Veterinary Service program brings students to Thailand for two weeks to volunteer alongside veterinarians from the U.S. and Thailand. For one week, Biddle and her team volunteered at an elephant sanctuary outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand, to work with the giant animals and learn about animal rescue and conservation on a larger scale.
 
The elephants at the sanctuary have been rescued from trekking, logging or forced breeding programs. Many of them had been abused and suffer from chronic injuries or blindness. At the elephant sanctuary, they are cared for by volunteers from all over the world. Biddle helped to feed and care for elephants, as well as learn about their diagnoses alongside an elephant vet. The sanctuary is also home to more than 1,000 animals, including cats, dogs, water buffalo, horses and cows, and is sustained in huge part by the work of weekly volunteers like Biddle.
 
For the other week, Biddle volunteered at a dog rescue clinic in Chiang Mai. The shelter is home to dogs who have been rescued after being abandoned, beaten or abused.

While she studied under the veterinarians leading her group, Biddle and her team made a difference in the lives of these dogs. By providing check-ups and cleanings, diagnosing and treating ear and eye problems, taking and testing blood, administering vaccines, cleaning and treating wounds, and helping with sterilization surgeries, the students were able to help support the health and well-being of these dogs.
 
By following a study abroad model instead of a voluntourism model, Loop focuses on educating its students so that they can contribute and serve in meaningful ways. It also works with locally run animal welfare organizations so that students contribute to long-term improvement on the ground in the countries they visit. With programs in Thailand, South Africa, Australia, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands, Loop Abroad is able to support animal welfare and conservation around the world because of its students and their dedication to helping animals in need.

Loop Abroad has animal science, marine biology and veterinary programs for students and young adults age 14 to 30, and offers financial aid and fundraising help. Programs range from two weeks in summer to a full semester abroad, and college credit is available. Interested participants can inquire or apply at www.LoopAbroad.com.