 Wherever EHF Provides Service, all animals, including the homeless, receive the same level of veterinary care and no healthy animal is euthanized. |
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EHF VOLUNTEER GENERAL INFORMATION |
 The Esther Honey Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and volunteer expenses are tax deductible to the extent that the law allows. Volunteer Positions: Veterinarians, Technicians/Nurses, Veterinary Students, Administrative Staff, Outreach Coordinators, Student Interns*and Animal Care Assistants. Detailed Position Descriptions are included in the Application Protocol. (Please see below.) PLEASE NOTE: All volunteers work at the direction and under the auspices of the EHF Board and President. They function within the organizational structure, protocols, policies and programs determined by the Foundation in compliance and in agreement with Cook Islands authorities. There is no financial compensation for volunteering. Volunteer Expectations: ►Volunteers volunteer from two weeks to one year. ►All volunteers share in the maintenance responsibilities of the animals, clinic & EHF residence. ►Volunteers work as a team, expectations vary depending on the situation and flexibility is a key ingredient to a successful and enjoyable experience. ►The work, especially with fish poisoning patients at the Esther Honey Clinic on Rarotonga, can be exhausting. The hours devoted to any worthwhile task can sometimes be long and the conditions challenging, but most volunteers find that the rewards outweigh any personal discomfort. ►Our clinic is open 7 days a week (Weekends primarily for emergencies, in-patient care and clinic maintenance). Rosters allow volunteers when possible (Keeping in mind that unanticipated circumstances can intervene) to have two days off per week. Volunteers may be rostered to work weekends. Our standard hours are from 8.00am to 5.00pm.  Volunteers Agree: ► to work full days, five days a week. (EHF's residence, clinic and animals require maintenance on weekends too.) ► to be available for emergencies if needed. ► to remain on site during the time that they are scheduled to volunteer unless prior arrangements are made.  ____________________ Volunteers Comment on their experience: ►Veterinarian Alison Harland writes: "I am writing from a wet and windy New Zealand, the warmth of Rarotonga is fading slowly! I am writing to thank you for your advice and assistance with my recent trip to Rarotonga, and during my stay at the EHF clinic. It was great to be part of an international team providing a veterinary presence on Rarotonga, and to contribute with organisation of the clinic and supplies, as well as desexing and medical/surgical services. I learned heaps - an opportunity not to be missed." ►Veterinarian: Rosie Skinner wrote: "...Emma and I had a wonderful time here in Raro and really felt that we managed to make a difference to the animals here, we had a lot of success with the fish poisoning cases with some pretty fast recoveries, even with the more severe cases and we've managed to rehome many cats. We hope to return to Raro for more volunteering in the future!" ►Read Vet Student Gabe Young's note following about his EHF externship experience: "Volunteering at the Esther Honey clinic was a fantastic experience, and definitely the highlight of my journey through vet school. I loved everything about Rarotonga - the people, the animals, and the lifestyle, and it was great to have a chance to help out somewhere where the work is really needed and truly appreciated by the locals. I highly recommend volunteering at the clinic to everyone, but especially to final year vet students or recent grads. The veterinarians who supervised me allowed me to get very involved in the management of cases, and they were always eager to enhance my learning experience in every way. As a young and budding vet, the time I spent there was extremely valuable. I am very grateful to Cathy Sue for having me there - she has developed a wonderful organization which has done great things for the people and animals of Rarotonga, and it was a privilege to spend some time there. I can't wait to go back!!!" ► A UK Vet Student wrote about her experience: Hi Cathy Sue, I would like to thank you for allowing me to volunteer at the Esther Honey Clinic on Rarotonga. It was a fantastic experience hat allowed me to gain an understanding of how much can be achieved with the imaginative use of limited resources! The animals on the island were a joy to work with and I will definately be recommending EHF as placement for both students and new graduates. The clinic has had a great impact on the island and I wish you all the best your continuing efforts. Thank you once again, Emily ►Read veterinary nurse Sarah Lovett's first-hand account of working at the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic in the NZ Veterinary Nursing Journal: View ► Read UK Vet Nurse, Kelly Edmett's volunteer experience: Click Here ► Read a CI NEWs article about Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic veterinarian volunteers: Click Here ►Read one veterinarian's volunteer experience at the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic from the WSPA website: Click Here  Additional testimonials are available on EHF Home Page See News & Published Articles Page to read volunteers' published articles ►To receive an EHF Application Protocol Please provide the following information in your e-mail request: ► The dates of your availability ► Curriculum Vitae or Resume ► Two professional references To submit your request: Click Here |
| RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES |
 The Esther Honey Foundation Clinic offers an excellent opportunity for research projects that benefit the animals, the community and enhance the preceptorship experience. ►Glasgow Vet Students Carolyn Todd & Morven McGregor's research project was featured in Intervetconnect Bursary Supplement. To view: Click Here |
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| VOLUNTEER HOUSING ON RAROTONGA |
| EHF Residence: Basic, dorm-style lodging is provided on a first-come, first-served, basis. Directions for reserving space at the modest EHF residence are available in the EHF Application Protocol. 
Spouses are welcome to accompany the volunteer, but all persons staying at the EHF house agree to volunteer full time and to help as needed. Volunteers who are accompanied by their families will be more comfortable securing off-site housing due to the limited space and the number of support staff typically staying at the EHF accommodation. ►For information about Cook Islands news, accomodations, activities & currency, Visit the Cook Islands Tourism Website: Click Here ►To learn more about Cook Islands daily life, politics & rental accommodations, Read the Cook Islands News: Click Here ►For more information about the Cook Islands, Visit the Lonely Planet Website: Click Here PLAY: Consider bringing people toys such as volley balls, soccer balls, tennis rackets, games and cards as space allows. ►Off-site reasonably priced accommodations:   EHF Volunteers dorm-style $20.00 NZWithin walking distance of the clinic http://www.aquariusrarotonga.com/ EHF Volunteers $100.00 NZ http://www.cookislandsoasis.com/  The Tiare Village The Tiare Village is about a five minute bike ride from the clinic. The island bus comes by the Tiare every hour and also stops at the clinic offering another transportation alternative. Private room prices are usually comparable to the dorm accommodations prices at the Aquarius. Contact the manager kiaorana@tiarevillage.co.ck to confirm. |
| V0LUNTEER LIVING EXPENSES ON RAROTONGA: View |
| VOLUNTEER COMMUNICATION ON RAROTONGA |
| ►FYI EHF Clinic Volunteers: Inexpensive calls on using the Kia Orana cards, volunteers can now call New Zealand and talk for up to an hour for only $5 and ring Australia, Fiji, UK, USA or Canada and talk up to an hour for $10. ►Internet service coupons ($2.50 NZ for 4 hrs on clinic computer) are available from the clinic administrator. |
| VOLUNTEER AIRFARE TO RAROTONGA |
 Airfares change frequently and we recommend that volunteers search as many resources as possible to find the best option for their travel needs. |
| HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS |
| ►Immunizations: Although most people travel to the Cook Islands without any immunizations as none are required and the country is rabies free, some volunteers choose to receive the recommended immunizations that are listed on the following sites: ► http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/oceania/cook_islands.php ► http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationCookIslands.aspx ► ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE ADVISED TO PURCHASE EVACUATION INSURANCE Volunteers are advised that like many South Pacific islands, Dengue Fever is present on Rarotonga. Volunteers assume any risks that may be associated with living in this tropical environment. Although Dengue Fever rarely requires hospitalization, EHF has no funds to provide medical treatment for volunteers and we strongly recommend that each volunteer purchase evacuation insurance to cover transportation costs to New Zealand if needed for any serious injury or willness. One option: ►http://www.internationalsos.com/buymembership/ |
| Additional Volunteer Links |
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THANK YOU for your interest in volunteering for the Esther Honey Foundation. It is the generosity of our volunteers and supporters that has made it possible for The Esther Honey Foundation to bring veterinary care to thousands of South Pacific animals in need.  * For information about IE3 Internships: Click Here ► For Travelers' Health Information: Click Here ►To contact EHF Veterinary Liaison, Barry Nicholls, DVM for more specific information regarding EHF veterinary services: Click Here ► For additional information about volunteering at the Esther Honey Animal Clinic on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, visit the Clinic Page on this site. Click Here ► For information about volunteering for EHF VET TREKS, visit the EHF VET TREK Page on this site. Click Here |
97% of EHF's expenditures go directly to Animal Program Services To Make a Donation to The Esther Honey Foundation: Click Here  EHF does not sell, rent or lend the names or email addresses of our supporters. ___________________________________________________________________► To Contact EHF Click Here Join the EHF Community:
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