Esther Honey Foundation
Esther Honey Foundation
Volunteer Veterinary Services
Volunteer Veterinary Services

EHF Home
About EHF
EHF Vet Clinic
EHF VET TREK
Volunteer Info
Support EHF
News & Articles
 
Cook Islands
            News  2008
(Continued from Home Page)

 Cook Islands NEWS
 May 22, 2008
Esther Honey Foundation names its new clinic director

The Esther Honey Foundation has named Karen Galvan as its new clinic director here in the Cook Islands.

Galvan’s career in marketing and business development and a life-long passion for animal protection brought her to EHF as the foundation’s voluntary development consultant in 2007.

“I have always been interested in animal welfare and during a holiday to Rarotonga in 2005, I stumbled across EHF volunteers at the Punanga Nui market.

“I am amazed at the incredible presence the organisation has in the Cook Islands and the level to which the EHF operates. The EHF has achieved remarkable milestones in the 13 years it has been operating in the Cook Islands,” she says.

Galvan adds that the foundation is fostered through the determination and commitment of its founder Cathy Sue Ragan-Anunsen. And she praises the support of dedicated locals and the endless stream of vets, nurses and interns that come from all over the world to give their time freely to keep the clinic functioning.

“The EHF is built on a powerful foundation of passion, integrity, commitment and the belief that all animals deserve to be free from pain and neglect,” says Galvan.

Galvan assumed a one-year full time role at the clinic this month, working alongside Elmah McBirney, EHF’s dedicated local representative and clinic manager. — TC
Cook Islands News
May 19, 2008
Pets
De-Sex your cat or dog FREE ALL WEEK at Esther Honey vet clinic.
The Esther Honey Foundation invites everyone to bring their pets to the clinic for free de-sexing all week. EHF’s recent HSI Spay Day campaign was so successful (Esther Honey was awarded the grand prize in the international campaign) that we are eager to offer the same focused service to locals again.

Join EHF in reducing the homeless animal population through the only scientifically proven method of providing a permanent solution - spay/neuter.

Please call 22336 for an appointment. We are open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am - midday on Saturdays.
Cook Islands NEWS
 April 4, 2008 
EHF VET TALK "Stop animal cruelty through chaining
or tethering"

Chaining or tethering dogs is the practice of fastening a dog to a stationary object or stake as a means of keeping the animal under control. The Esther Honey Foundation is concerned by reports of dogs tied to posts for long periods of time in the Cook Islands.

A chained animal is frustrated by long periods of boredom and social isolation – a cruel fate for what is by nature a highly social animal. Simply speaking, if you are chaining or tethering your dog for extended periods, you are mistreating it.

Continuous chaining or tethering significantly restricts a dog’s movement. It can become tangled or hooked on the dog’s shelter structure or other objects, further restricting the dog’s movement and potentially causing injury. Dog runs are a more humane alternative.

The EHF does not support keeping animals on runs for long periods, however in the interest of Cook Islands dogs and the need to eliminate tethering and the lack of fencing, we ask you to change to the dog run method.

A dog run should: Be at least 5-10 metres in length. Have adequate shelter from the sun and rain (build a waterproof, shaded shelter at one end of the run). Provide access to fresh water all day. A dog run is an interim measure and should not be a permanent tool to contain your dog.

Check your dog’s collar to make certain it is not too tight around the neck.

Barking or annoying behaviour could be due to boredom. Provide safe toys and play with your dog every day. Dogs need companionship, affection and daily interaction.

To order your dog run and metal stakes, please call Conrad Hunter at Raro Welding. EHF has a dog run set up at our clinic to view or call us to get advice on a dog run for your animal.

A de-sexed dog is less likely to roam so bring your dog (and a friend’s) into the clinic to be spayed or neutered today. 

Cook Islands News
January 20 2008
Kids and pets at the Punanga Nui Market
rotundra kids 
A number of youngsters on the island of Rarotonga now know the basics of how to properly care for their pets at home.

The Esther Honey Foundation Clinic has spent a considerable amount of time educating young ones on the island through their special visits to the Punanga Nui market and the clinic open day held last week. The kids got to learn things like what each pet needs at home – love, care, food and water. Some of the little ones who were at the clinic open day even left the clinic with their very own pet.

There are beautiful free kittens available from the clinic for anyone willing to give them a good home.
The clinic which is located in Nikao, across from the social centre can be contacted on 22336.
Cook Islands News
January 17 2008
Tasker visits foundation
  PCtiny
Amongst those who visited the Esther Honey Foundation clinic during their open day last Friday was police commissioner Pat Tasker.

Development consultant (EHFNZ) Karen Galvan says that Tasker was invited to the opening since the foundation and his department share common goals on animals.
Galvan says the visit was a good step in strengthening relations with the police, “so we can work together where we have mutual goals, mainly in stabilising the canine population on the island through humane methods, such as mass sterilisation”. — EHF
______________________
Cook Islands News
January 6 2008
Pets and kids fun day of learning
karen and kids tiny 
The fun learning day promised by the Esther Honey Foundation Clinic was exactly what more than 20 youngsters enjoyed at the Punanga Nui market yesterday.
Despite the wet weather, there were more than enough youngsters at the rotunda to enjoy the second activity day by the clinic – and all of them picked up some basic knowledge on how to care for pets. Development consultant (EHFNZ) Karen Galvan was joined by veterinarian Karen Harris who is from the United Kingdom and veterinarian nurse Shanna Oxenbridge from Australia.

The kids learned various things like why dogs in particular need collars. One classic replay came from Michael Mouauri who said the dogs needed the collars “so they won’t be taken by the dog man”.
Each child drew domestic pets and animals, and in the end picked up some free goodies plus lollies and chippies. Among the youngsters were cousins April Karlsen and Terangi Taio. They learnt about the fun day after they visited the clinic at the start of the week. While on an excursion they came across three little kittens which they took to the clinic. April says they both love animals and have also helped out at the clinic as volunteers.
The Esther Honey team was pleased with yesterday’s turnout and looks forward to seeing both adults and children at the clinic’s open day on Friday 11 January.
This will be held in Nikao and is a great opportunity for everyone to have a close look at the facilities of the clinic and what it does. Everyone is welcome to attend. — Tara Carr
_______________________
 The Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic

AMC Clinic sign
EHF's All Volunteer Staff Treats 1,200-2,425 Patients Annually
 
Volunteering at the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic
clinic street signsurgery broken dog leg

     puppy on table
"Life is great and missing Raro  lots. I loved the work, the people I met and the diving made for one of the happiest times of my life!!! A lot of people made me feel really needed and that I had made a big difference. I do hope to return  and volunteer again." Veterinarian Volunteer Australia  ► To read about Sal's volunteer experience: Click Here  
                                                                          Hit by car victim►

MacheteSM
thatch roof extension



     
              


   


►Recovering machete victim

fish poison puppy


►Fish Poisoning
        Victim



                                          
                                  The Esther Honey Animal Clinic Extension & Cages
             skinprobT                                                                 Thank you WSPA, Air New Zealand and MasterPet
                                     

catmax close-up►Skin Disease
      Patient
 

            ► Esther Honey Foundation
                Animal Clinic patients 
                recuperating comfortably 
                in their CATMAX enclosure. 
doc cats on back


                catmaxWSPA

       ►Thank you to Mel White, her team and CATMAX
                                                                                  for their kindness and generosity!
 
Clinic staff positions vary from time to time,                    volutneers chairss and dogs
but typically include a combination of the following personnel:
veterinarians,
college pre-veterinary interns,
veterinary students,
veterinary technicians/nurses,
and administrative support volunteers who typically volunteer six months to one year.
(Veterinarians supervise vet students)

Position responsibilities are included in Application Protocol materials available by contacting EHF: Click Here

All volunteers share in the maintenance responsibilities of the animals, clinic and EHF residence.

  Elmah Clinic Manager

  Please note: All volunteers work under the auspices
     and at the direction of the US office and the EHF
     Board of Directors and are required to adhere to 
     clinic policies and protocols established by 
     the Esther Honey Foundation in compliance 
     and in agreement with Cook Islands authorities.

 Work Schedules: Volunteers volunteer from two weeks to a year. They agree to work full days, five days a week and to be available for emergencies if needed. (Maintenance and animal care responsibilities continue on weekends.)

Please note: It is expected that visiting veterinarians will remain on Rarotonga during the time that they are scheduled to work at the clinic unless prior arrangements are made.

Work, especially  when  there is an influx of fish poisoning patients, can be exhausting, but most volunteers find the rewards outweigh the demands. Clinic hours: vary slightly with the clinic team.
The current hours are: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm but the hours may be extended as needed to accomodate emergencies and animal care needs.3pigssm
 
Veterinary students may choose to conduct research projects that 
  • benefit the animals, 
  • the community and
  • enhance the preceptorship experience.                     
Vet Student Study 


   To read about Carolyn Todd & Morven         McGregor's work: Click Here  

       "We both had a brilliant time & have
         persuaded one of our friends' from vet
         school to go there (to Rarotonga) this
         coming summer."

vet on chair


lovely dog close-up





                    
"I love your work here at the EHF! :-) 
 I am enjoying my time here immensely.
 We are helping many animals and doing 
 good medicine.
We are even able to  treat animals which usually wouldn't get treated back home. (Some owners can't afford to treat.)" 
Mary, Vet Student

 
In the Community
In addition to veterinary services,
EHF volunteers share vital animal healthcare information
 and humane education with the community.

karen and kids at market 

In the Cook Islands, this information is available through several venues
including the following:
                                                                                                                  girl kitty and clinic colagefree puppies






     ►Saturday Market 
                               
       





                         
   ►Vet Talk Column (CI NEWS) 

EHF is grateful for the coverage of clinic activities by the island's television station CITV and newspapers, The Cook Island News and The Cook Islands Herald. These businesses contribute to EHF's success in disseminating the Foundation's message emphasizing:
 
Cook Islands News                                                     
►Compassionate  healthcare 

► Spay and neuter     

►Respect for all life.
                    
                                 

                ► Humane Education workshops 
            WSPA education crew
                                      Thank you WSPA for your contributions to EHF Education Programs

                    
      ► EHF VET TREK® Clinics 
        fern
  THANK YOU
Cook Islands EHF VET TREK ® Supporters
                                                 
Volunteers:
During your stay in the Cook Islands, please patronize, and ask your friends and family who visit you
in the Cook Islands to support, those businesses that support the clinic 

ACCOMMODATIONS 
   On Rarotonga                                                                                                                             
►Puaikuri Reef Lodges   
►Muri Beachcomber                    
►Sunset Reefcomber
►Castawayvillas                        
►Crown Beach Resort   
                                                                
DINING: Trader Jacks:     

On Aitutaki
beach villas                    EHF VET TREK® AITUTAKI I & II 2008
Thank you Rarotonga Dive Centre for the Sponsorship Contribution

     AITUTAKI I & II 2008  and  AITUTAKI I & II 2007

►Etu Moana Boutique Beach Villas 
►Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas 
►Pacific  Resort 

 
Thank you to Jim and Jo-Anne, Maria and Allan, and Jason for the generosity and kind 
 assistance during EHF VET TREKs®


On Mangaia                              
babe'sEHF VET TREK® MANGAIA 07

►Babe's Place

The Esther Honey Foundation is grateful to Air Rarotonga, to Island Secretary Nga Tuara and his family for arranging the publicity and graciously providing meals for our volunteers, to the Ivirua Village School for the use of their facilities and to Ura at Babe's Place Motel for her kind assistance and for providing accommodations during our EHF VET TREK® MANGAIA 07.


       On Atiu
Atiu
                                   EHF VET TREK® Atiu 07

                                        Thank you                              
                               Andrea and Jurgen  ►Are Manuiri                                             
                               Roger and Kura         ►Atiu Motel
                               Marshall Humphreys

                      



  Air Raro
THANK YOU AIR RAROTONGA for offering discounted airfares to our veterinary volunteers traveling to the outer islands
to provide free veterinary services during EHF VET TREKS®

COOK ISLANDS EHF VET TREKS VET TREKS VET TREKS VET TREKS VET TREKS
 
RAROTONGA ACCOMMODATIONS & LIVING EXPENSES

 VOLUNTEER HOUSING ON RAROTONGA
                                              
            entryhalf                                                        



      residence collage



   ► To read about daily life on Rarotonga, read:
     The Cook Islands News: Click Here
     The Cook Islands Herald: Click Here

   ► For information about Cook Islands' accommodations,
     activities and currency, 
     Visit the Cook Islands Tourism website: Click Here

   ►To read about the Cook Islands on
     The Lonely Planet website: Click Here



 

 
 
V0LUNTEER EXPENSES ON RAROTONGA : View

 
 

  VOLUNTEER AIRFARE TO RAROTONGA



two dogs nose to nose
Airfares change frequently and we recommend that volunteers search as
many resources as possible to find the
best option for their travel experience. 

Cost is important but there are also additional factors to consider.
Please support those businesses that support the Esther Honey Foundation
if the costs are comparable.
 
Sunspots Int'l. provides friendly, professional service and has offered discounted fares to EHF volunteers for
more than five years. Ask for Kelly, Sunspot's South Pacific specialist. 


sunspots logo
  To visit the Sunspot's website: Click Here   
  To read 7 Reasons for US volunteers to Book with Sunspots International: Click Here 
 
  CONTACT EHF   ► To receive EHF e-mail updates: Click Here            ► To contact EHF: Click Here
Please help EHF make a difference for animals in need in the South Pacific. 
collection foundation
Contribute to The Esther Honey Foundation:   Click Here 

EHF does not sell, rent or lend the names or email addresses of our supporters.

kittiesL

Top of page