Esther Honey Foundation

Veterinary Care for South Pacific Companion Animals in Need The Esther Honey Foundation is the first non-profit, international animal protection organization: To work exclusively to humanely control animal populations in South Pacific island nations through affordable spay/ neuter and education services. To provide free spay and neuter field clinics (EHF VET TREKS) to remote South Pacific islands introducing the use of the 70% formula to the region. (The difference that EHF makes for animals and their communities can be permanent.) To establish what is now referred to as “voluntourism” programs to provide continuous veterinary service. _____________________________ EHF works in concert with local government officials, businesses, community members and other partners to bring affordable, skilled and compassionate veterinary services to South Pacific island companion animals in need. The Esther Honey Foundation improves the health conditions and quality of life for these animals by developing the partnership programs, raising the funds, providing the drugs, supplies, equipment and recruiting the volunteers necessary to fulfill the foundation’s mission. Wherever EHF provides service, all animals, whether homeless or with guardians, receive comparable care and no healthy animal is euthanized.
Celebrating 15 Years of Service to South Pacific Animals
The Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic Rarotonga, Cook Islands EHF established and continues to support the only veterinary clinic for the Cook Islands' thousands of companion animals. Since the Foundation established the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic in 1995, hundreds of EHF volunteers including veterinarians, technologists and interns have traveled to the South Pacific island nation to treat more than 2,600 animals annually. Services are provided in return for donations. EHF's patients are primarily companion animals, but our veterinary teams have also treated pigs, goats, horses, birds, fruit bats, one seal and a hawkbilled turtle. Since opening The Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic doors, EHF has ►Treated more than 27,190 animals ►Sterilized more than 11,755 animals _____________________________________________________________ *EHF VET TREK®:* Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Bora Bora Providing compassionate veterinary care to remote South Pacific island animals ► The Foundation's spay/neuter & humane education programs extend beyond the Esther Honey Animal Clinic to field clinics on remote outer islands and additional South Pacific island nations. ► EHF conducts 105th EHF VET TREK treating 3,468 animals who would not receive care without the Esther Honey Foundation. *EHF VET TREK* Aitutaki 2010 ►FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PAST EHF VET TREKS®** & VOLUNTEERING FOR EHF VET TREKS® PLEASE GO TO: VET TREK Page ____________________________________________________ Esther Honey Volunteers EHF was the first international non-profit to use "Voluntourism" to provide on-going veterinary services to South Pacific island nations. EHF is indebted to the 221 veterinarians and hundreds of other EHF volunteers who treat thousands of animals in EHF's care. EHF provides service at no cost; Donations are requested in return for service. EHF veterinarian volunteers bring their experience from all over the globe including: The United States, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Isreal and Italy. Comments from Volunteers ►Veterinarian: I volunteered "during the summer of my first year into vet school. (2005) Being in Raro is probably what kept me in school! It was the first link in a chain that has ended up with me working at a vet clinic on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. " JP ►Veterinarian Sophie writes: Julien and I had an exhilarating time volunteering in the Cook Islands. We worked hard during the day providing routine services and treating an amazing number of emergencies from fish poisonings to traffic accident victims and during the night, we bottle-fed newly abandoned puppies. We were extremely lucky to get to conduct a last minute Aitutaki Vet Trek to neuter cats and see a few sick animals. But it wasn't all work and no play, we met great people, had loads of fun going out and socializing, diving and trekking. We also had our moment of fame by appearing in the Cook Island News and on TV news and will never forget Julien's star appearance on stage with the Island dancers of Highland paradise." April 2010 ► Veterinarian Juliet: "It is one of the first times that we felt that we were not just ‘western volunteers coming from overseas’ doing the job the local government don’t want to face. It was working in paradise. Every day we switched between consults, surgeries, census and house visits. Any kind of animal passed in front of our eyes. I wrestled with a cow under the attentive eye of a Polynesian warrior ..." Click Here to read more ► Veterinarian Jay Kerr, past president and current member of The California Veterinary Medical Association Board of Governors, recently returned from volunteering for the Esther Honey Foundation for the second time. "Once again, I had a great experience and leave feeling very good about the animal care we provided. Working at EHF is a genuinely unique experience. You are visiting and working in a truly beautiful and exotic location. More importantly, as you work at the clinic, you meet wonderful people and have the opportunity to appreciate the local environment. You’re not just a tourist! “I whole-heartedly recommend EHF to anyone looking for a great way to use their veterinary skills and enjoy a wonderful travel experience. Click Here to read more. ► Read US Vet Student Heather Matz IVSA presentation about her externship at the EHF Animal Clinic (Large file) IVSA PowerPoint Presentation ►Read US Vet Student Cindy Galbreath's article on the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine website: ► Read Australian Vet Student, Sheridan's report of her externship with EHF. "During the 3 weeks at Esther Honey I had more hands-on experience then I have received in my full 3 years at vet school. I learnt things I would never have learnt at University. (US Senior Vet) Dr Susan Lecoq and her team walked me through a few speys, IV line maintenance and taught me to place a catheter. I also witnessed some really cool surgeries like stitching up the pleural cavity of a 3 month old piglet! During my last week, two veterinarians from England, Rosie Skinner and Emma Wells, came to stay. They also walked me through flank speying and castration. Rarotonga is a beautiful country with lovely people, always smiling. I really learnt what it meant to be on Island time. I hope to volunteer again once I have graduated." Read Full Report: Report ► Read Canadian Vet Student, Ashley's report: My four-week stay at the Esther Honey Clinic on the lovely island of Rarotonga was one of the most educational and inspiring experiences that I’ve had. Not only did I gain hands-on practice in my field of study, but I also experienced the Rarotongan culture to its fullest as I was immersed in it day after day. The people were so friendly and generous and treated us “Honeys” very well. My time spent in Rarotonga will definitely be a cherished and ..." Read Ashley's Report and Telegraph-Journal article Esther Honey, one of "the 100 Best volunteer vacations to enrich your life": ►UK Vet & nurse pick Raro Cook Islands News English veterinarian university graduate Laura Musgrove, 23, had a slew of high-tech, big-budget European clinics on her doorstep from which to get her first work experience. Instead, she and a small band of vet-care specialists regularly answer the call of a tiny Pacific Island animal centre with an international reputation – the Esther Honey Foundation, on the main road near Rarotonga Golf Club. Established in 1995, the privately funded clinic – the only vet centre in Rarotonga – relies on the generosity of graduates like Laura to care for the island’s large dog and cat population. “I’d heard about the centre from another vet in England who had been here,” says Laura, a Royal Veterinarian College of London alumni in her second week of a two-month stay. “It was an opportunity too good to miss – you’re working in paradise and you actually feel like you’re making a difference.” Laura bunks down at the centre with up to seven other young animal specialists – and there is never a dull moment, from neutering and surgery duties, to dispensing general pet care advice. “We try and help pet owners with things like de-fleaing and worming – it’s amazing how few know anything about owning a dog or a cat,” says English vet nurse Casey Rogers, 26. While general vet care is Laura and Casey’s primary role, they also gratefully accept any donations – food, money or otherwise – from tourists, such as Auckland’s Jo Harvey (pictured) who raided the nearby CITC supermarket’s pet-food aisle this week to restock the foundation’s larder. “It’s great to be able to contribute to a worthy cause like Esther Honey,” says Jo, who holidays regularly in the Cooks. “After all, people can help themselves, but animals can’t.” - James Graham
►APPLY TO VOLUNTEER
Help improve the world for animals ... one island at a time: VOLUNTEER! ►PLEASE SEND ► CV/Resume ► Dates you would like to volunteer ► Contact information for two references. APPLY ►Experienced (3 years+) veterinarians needed: Spend the holidays in the stunningly beautiful Cook Islands while making a difference for animals and the community: Dec 16 2010- Jan 20, 2011. ► "For 5 years, I have volunteered at a variety of international animal projects. On the Internet & especially Facebook, I am always looking for future destinations. I research the groups I am interested in & read the feedback of previous volunteers, supporters & visitors. Your foundation has gotten continuous praise for its work. So, I plan to volunteer with you in the next year or so :-) >> Barb Hautanen August 2010

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