It's hard to prepare for, Aliesha Timms Wilson says.
The walls of her office at Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital are plastered with photos of cats, dogs and thank you notes from their various owners. She's a registered animal technologist and someone whose passion is taking her around the world.
"It is a huge culture shock when you do go into an area like that," Timms Wilson said.
This summer, Timms Wilson is headed for Botswana. There, for three weeks, she will work with an international team of veterinary technologists, assistants and veterinarians to provide primary care, emergency surgeries and spay and neuter clinics.
The volunteer-driven wellness project is organized by the Canadian Animal Assistance Team. Timms Wilson has worked with the organization before on trips within Canada - three weeks in Igloolik, Nunavut, four days in Ucluelet and a week in Burns Lake. The mission of these ventures was to educate people about over-population and spaying and neutering of pets. In a single day, on average the volunteers are able to spay or neuter 200 animals, Timms Wilson said.
Controlling and aiding animal populations makes for a healthy human population, Timms Wilson said. It helps reduce the spread of parasites and zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted between humans and animals. Many wild animals and stray dogs carry rabies throughout Africa, Timms Wilson noted, adding that controlling dog populations also helps decrease the number of bite victims, as the dogs are less likely to roam in packs.
Although the Botswana team's accommodation and meals are paid for, their travel and surgery expenses are not. The organization does receive some help from drug supply companies in terms of medication and equipment, Timms Wilson noted.
"Most of the trips are money out of our own pockets," she said.
For more information or to make a donation visit www.caat-canada.org and add a comment "for Aliesha's Botswana trip." People can also drop off donations at Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital at 40376 Tantalus Rd. or call Timms Wilson at (604) 849-0574.
"It has always been my dream to travel to Africa and this way I get to visit while providing assistance to animals in need."
