Blog from Asia for Animals - Kathmandu December 2017

Judith Velarde of PAWS Philippines writes:

My trip to Nepal was awesome! I think this is one of the most exciting and at the same time productive as well as full of learning trip that I've ever had so far.

Before this conference, I don't know anything about Nepal before aside from the fact that they are the only country who doesn't have a rectangular flag. When our shelter director informed us about AFA Kathmandu, I am one of the first who expressed intention to join. But as the days goes by, I realized that it will be a long shot just because it was expensive.  Majority of us started to lose hope that maybe it will just be an unfulfilled dream. So we tried to look for sponsors. AFA committee were so accommodating and advised us to wait. As soon as the application for sponsorship came, we submitted our forms and wish that I'll one of those chosen ones. We waited, patiently. 

Good news came that all of us will received sponsorship for the conference and accommodation so all we need is an airfare and some pocket money. We started saving for trip.  Then another good news came in! I was chosen by JMICAWE to receive a travel scholarship and for that I really thanked them. It's an honor to be chosen amongst all the participants.

AFA Conference 2017 runs for 4 days from December 2 until 5.  This is where different organizations from across different countries provide talks and workshop evolving on changing human behavior which has and will have a great impact on the animal welfare world. Just being in that conference is a very up lifting. Seeing all those people with the same passion as you have is just really comforting.

Another highlight was the fieldtrip. We went to Chitwan National Park where we had an experience to walk with the elephants into the jungle and saw rhinos up close. It was very very surreal. No picture or video will bring justice as to how majestic and beautiful they are in the wild. It is just mesmerizing!

This conference is actually an eye opener that you are not alone in whatever battle you have. Somewhere out there, there is always someone fighting the same battle as you do. We may be far from really reaching our ultimate dream but take time to pause and celebrate our wins. May it be as simple as a senior dog getting adopted from a local shelter or as impactful as not a single rhinos was killed by the poachers in Nepal for the past 3 years. Animals can't talk but if they could, they would be thanking each and everyone of us in doing the things big or small that will protect them and would make their lives worthwhile.

Again, thanks for to JMICAWE for making this trip possible and I'm looking forward in joining the next AFA conference.

Judith and the other staff from the PAWS Shelter

Changing Human Behaviour for Sharks

Changing Human Behaviour for Sharks

Naomi Clark-Shen was sponsored by JMICAWE to attend the AFA Conference on Human Behaviour Change in Nepal back in December.  Naomi works on shark conservation in Indonesia and Singapore.

On the second day of the conference Naomi spoke about how her work looks at changing two extreme ends of behaviour; that of wealthy consumers who behave (eat shark fin) out of convenience, and that of fishermen who behave (hunt sharks) to survive.

Her work tries to achieve this by bringing shark consumers and shark hunters together – on an eco-tourism trip where the shark fishermen take guests snorkelling. Naomi shared how ultimately the shark fishing industry is more complex than many think, and a solution is far from being achieved. 

“This conference was interesting because the focus was on animal welfare – whereas my work is conservation. These fields are actually very different. I am passionate about animal welfare though, and listening to the other talks re-sparked my interest in getting back into welfare work as well.”

“There was another person working on shark fishing, in Pakistan, and it was great to learn from him. The conference was very uplifting. I was pleasantly surprised at how far the animal movement has come in Asia.” 

Masters Programme Coordinator vacancy - MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour

Please see below for details of a vacancy closing 5th January 2018.

https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=042208

JMICAWE Vet Nurse Hayley Walters receives MBE in New Year's Honours List

Hayley Walters receives MBE in New Year’s honours

Hayley Walters, The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education's Welfare & Anaesthesia Nurse, was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours.

Welfare & Anaesthesia Nurse within The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education (JMICAWE), Hayley splits her time between working in the School's Hospital for Small Animals as a key member of the anaesthesia team and supporting JMICAWE work in Outreach Education projects.

As well as Hayley's clinical work she has responsibilities for training veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse students in all aspects of animal welfare, handling and pain management. She has also worked all over the world to share her veterinary nursing and animal welfare education skills as part of her work with JMICAWE.

Hayley has previously won the RCVS Golden Jubilee Award, in honour of her exceptional contribution to her profession. 

In response to receiving the award, Hayley Said: 

“I feel really happy that the veterinary nursing profession is being recognised by the Queen! I started my career as a part time receptionist and kennel maid when I was 18 and qualified as a veterinary nurse three years later. I’m 40 this year and I still love my job. I care so much about the animals' experience when they’re away from home and when everything that is familiar to them has gone."

"I feel very privileged to receive an MBE but it has only happened because I am fortunate enough to work with really dedicated and inspiring people. Our international animal welfare education team within the University of Edinburgh is small, but between us all we are reaching students not only in the UK but overseas too where often animal welfare is not taught. Student vets and veterinary nurses are the future ambassadors for animals and I hope to be able to continue my work for many more years."

Professor David Argyle, Dean and Head of the Vet School, said:

“We are delighted that Hayley has been awarded an MBE for services to veterinary education and animal welfare. This is a very well deserved recognition for Hayley’s outstanding contribution in educating student veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses here at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and for her work on animal health and welfare issues both in the UK and around the world.”