Chiang Mai, Thailand

 Lots of life has happened since the last posting but I'm taking my sister's advice in trying to write more often but shorter texts so will not go into all the details of the recent adventures. We have been lucky to be able to have some great time with old and new family members, friends, sea & sun, travelling by train and by plane across time zones and back again. There has also been the normal mixture of school and work, children's prep and hobbies and the life between two homes and Nigel's travels to the different outreach project that WVS and Mission Rabies have in India and the small ongoing renovations at the Hill View Farm. But now I am in Thailand, visiting the WVS ITC Thailand and helping my Finnish friend and vet, Maiju, and the WVS team who will be starting here similar surgery training courses that we have been doing in India for the last 5 years. A very special thing about this trip is that Nagaraj, one of our vet assistants, with whom I have been working since 2004, is here with us training the Thai assistants and animal handlers in their work. Who could have guessed back then, in 2004, when we were operating dogs in an army tent in Coonoor? Being away from Nigel and the children is not easy and I do miss them a lot but it is also refreshing sometimes to go to see and learn new. The first surgery course here was also upgraded to include a neurology day as well with an Australian neurologist, Dr. Sam Long as the visiting specialist. Between the surgery course days we have been able to see little bit of Chiang Mai; visited Elephant Nature Park, I went for Thai massage and also got my feet softened and cleaned in a fish bath! Something special was also today's bubble milk tea with blueberry flavor!

Worldwide Veterinary Service International Training Center Thailand

It is always feels as such a special treat to have breakfast served for you. And even more so when it is this toast with home-made ricotta cheese & almond flakes and honey on top.

Nagaraj with some of the WVS ITC Thailand animal handlers. We use catching nets to catch dogs humanely and effectively.

Dr. Jawahar from the WVS ITC India team supervising the participants preparing a dog for surgery

Neurological examination

Everyone is busy in the OT

View from the WVS ITC Thailand

Testing the reflexes

Visit to the Elephant Nature Park

International veterinary team in front of the WVS International Training Center in Thailand. We are from Thailand, India, Australia, Germany, Finland, America and Russia!