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Week 2

(30 August -  4 September  2004)

Dr. Natasha

Dr Natasha arrived in Bali, and hit the ground running.  Dr Natasha is a newly graduated Vet from UPM Malaysia.  As a young dynamic Vet, Dr Natasha was hired to take on the first paid position at SPCA’s offshoot  - Klinik Kembiri.  After 3 months on the job there she was invited to participate in the training because of the potential and interest she shows in welfare work.  Klinik Kembiri will be expanding within the next few years and we hope the project will be evermore successful due to her input and determination.   Dr Natasha is a new breed of vet that we are seeing evolve in Asia, one who cares about welfare, pays attention to detail and we envisage that exposing her to this kind of training will only further inspire, prepare and give her support to begin to build projects within Malaysia.

The week has flown by, and when Dr. Natasha dropped at the airport its hard to believe that the week that has gone by in just a click of the fingers. 

From Day One, after initially watching the unloading of the mobile clinic at the Banjaar, Natasha was invited to jump right in for one of the first castrations of the day.  Although initially nervous Natasha obliged and worked next to Dr Dayu, who explained and carefully answered any questions she had.  Throughout the week Dr Natasha repeated neutering and spay operations on puppies and dogs alike in the field clinic and with the emergency mobile clinic.  The use of super glue was explained and enthusiastically received by Dr Natasha, which was again a big pulling point for Dr Natasha to join the training project! 

Throughout the week Yudisthira’s Vet student training programme was in operation and various students joined to complete their practical training, as part of their last semester at Vet School.  The Banjar’s were busy this week with all but one being a first visit to the area.  The Yudisthira vets and catchers were stretched and Dr Natasha was a huge asset during these periods, on one day this week a total of 79 dogs were caught and given treatment and a third of those were desexed.  This number of animals shows the volume of animals and the sheer need for this project within one Banjaar. 

Dr. Natasha understanding the practical training needs  wasted no time teaching the Training Vet students how to prepare a dog for surgery, including explanation of the pre-med and effects on the dog, the actual anesthetic, and once complete the shaving and thorough cleaning of the surgery site to transfer to table ready for surgery.  Dr Natasha compared the students training with her own and concluded that in Malaysia there is much more emphasis on practical training and handling of animals.  In Bali, Yudisthira are the training ground for all practical work prior to graduating, often newly graduated vets complete an Internship with Yudisthira to learn neutering and practical medicine following graduation.  In Malaysia handling and surgical techniques are an integral part of the qualification and so Dr Natasha although newly qualified herself, had experience to offer. 

This kind of cross-training between the two organisations is fundamental to enable further growth and to build the relationship between the two groups. 

Dr Natasha was impressed with the fluidity of the field clinic – of the professionalism of the staff and how Yudisthira has a whole team of skilled, caring individuals “the driver of the van is also the catcher and the prep guy, he is really good at each job – not just one, and to top it all – he really cares for the dogs welfare”.  The team is made up of individuals who do care and are trained to be multi-tasking, the team work makes Yudisthira not just possible but ultimately successful. 

Sharing ideas of how to improve and move forward, Dr Natasha said she thought that TNR of dogs in Malaysia was impossible due to the cultural differences which means that dogs are not welcome to live in the streets, however she saw possibility for TNR with cats and we discussed the implications and possibilities of such a project.  EAN for owned dogs and cats should now be possible through Klinik Kembiri and it is our job to look at how to promote this message to the public. 

“The dog-catching is so fast and clever, the education for the kids is brilliant to see and hear! the people at the Banjar who really care for their animals is encouraging and I have really enjoyed the time working with the team, one week is not long enough!”  Dr Natasha commenting on her week with Yudisthira.  Her innate confidence, energy and professional ability have been a positive feature throughout the week and has turned this week into a rewarding experience for both Natasha and Yudisthira. 

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Dr. Natasha's Comments

Dr. Natasha

Comments on Vet Training in BALI

BALI... What an exotic destination for work and training. And beautiful it is! The main workplace for the Field Clinic is in the rural villages (during my stay, the stations are mostly in the ‘kampung’ up in the mountains, where the weather is cool and comfortable for working). The stations are set up quickly in the ‘banjar’ and before you know it, the villagers are bringing dogs over for check-ups or neutering.

The MASH style tent set up for surgery is a really good idea, since all of the surgery is done ‘open-air’ and has many curious on-lookers (and curious hands too). However, the aseptic techniques practiced by the local vets are amazing!

Dog catching is amazing too. The speed and stealth (and team work too) just simply cannot be done by mere novices. And to cover all aspects of the work done by Yudisthira, public education plays an important role too. Many informative flyers are handed out to villagers, and programs are set up to teach little kids. It is simply amazing seeing how exited all the kids are and to hear them still humming the songs on their way back home.

The Street Clinic is amazing too. The mobile van is quickly converted into a make-shift operating room once a stray dog is caught, be it beside the beach or within the towns. The saddest part is when the decision is made to put down far-too-sickly dogs and to bury it (with a little prayer for each dog).

Overall, it is simply amazing to see how enthusiastic each of the staff is towards their work. And to know that each of them absolutely adores animals, which means that they share the same aims and goals, makes work only more enjoyable! This enthusiasm can be seen by the way they teach the local vet students, and hopefully will pass on this positive energy to them (which, in my humble opinion, are just what the students are lacking).

I will certainly take home this new enthusiastic energy (along with new veterinary techniques and management, of course), and to see the management of strays in a different light. A ‘juta’ thanks to all the people I met at Yudisthira for their hospitality and for making my trip simply fabulous!

Terima Kasih!

Dr Natasha Lee J

4 September 2004