Volunteer stories: Hannah McInally
Hannah McInally is a Vet Nurse from Queenstown. Hannah was one of the team that went over to Samoa in March and she shared her volunteer experience with us.
“I was first inspired to volunteer with SPAW as a colleague had volunteered previously and this was my second SPAW trip. I had a pretty good idea of what to expect however Samoa blew me away! The beauty was astounding and the locals were all so appreciative of us being there.
“The volunteer team had a shared love of animals and travel so there was common ground from the get go. SPAW also has very good protocols in place and they resource their clinics very well, so it was easy to find our groove as a team. Adjusting to a different culture always puts you outside of your comfort zone, however the pros outweigh the cons. One lovely local man stayed at the clinic while we desexed his dog and sang to us through the day, it was truly lovely.
“Our case load was consistent – lots of puppies riddled with fleas, ticks and intestinal worms and SPAW always provisions well for these cases, so it is nice to send them home with parasite treatments without the worry of charging for the product or services – it is provided free. Being a part of village outreach is always special as you go to places many tourists don’t visit – it’s a more intimate cultural experience than when you stay at a resort. Leisha and Tino from APS went above and beyond to look after us, and the locals put on a special dinner for us before we left – it was very moving.
“Veterinary care on the islands isn’t as accessible as what we are used to in New Zealand. Most of the pacific islands rely on volunteers to provide much needed care for their animals. Working in the veterinary profession can be draining both physically and mentally but these trips are a great reminder of why this is such a special profession! I can’t wait for my next opportunity to volunteer.”
