Animals of the Cook Islands got a boost on Sunday 9 November at Esther Honey Foundation’s charity fundraiser in Auckland. 
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2010 Esther Honey Foundation New Zealand NEWS |
 It's Christmas in the islands for vet Alex Alex Elson has dealt with most of the health problems that afflict small animals, but this summer, the Whitianga vet is likely to encounter a  new one. Ms Elson is spending three weeks over Christmas and New Year as a volunteer vet in the Cook Islands. She expects there will be the usual cases, such as skin problems, accidents and neutering, but has been told there could also be a problem with fish poisoning. In certain conditions, a disturbance on the reef at Rarotonga causes toxic plankton to get into the food chain. Ms Elson has just finished a two-year stint as a part-time vet in Whitianga and left for the Cook Islands on Sunday. “I’ve decided that I’ll do volunteer work from now on,” she says. She began her career in England and has been a vet for about 35 years. After settling in Whitianga eight years ago, she initially worked part-time in Thames. The idea of going to the Cook Islands came when she read about the Esther Honey Foundation in a vet magazine. The organisation was founded by American animal advocate Cathy Sue Ragan-Anunsen in 1994 after a holiday in the Cook Islands. While she was in Rarotonga, Ms Ragan-Anunsen befriended a dog named Honey and learned that there were no veterinary services in the country for its thousands of cats and dogs. In 1995, the foundation opened a clinic in Nikao. It’s staffed by volunteer vets from around the world and caters for animals in Rarotonga and outlying islands. “I’ve never been to the Cook Islands and I thought it sounded like me,” Ms Elson says. She hopes to do some diving and possibly some horse-riding. Back home, a house-sitter will look after her pregnant horse Charity, her cats Roland and Rupert and her chickens. Her three pugs, Milly, Stanley and Lenny, will go into kennels. |
| 2009 Esther Honey Foundation New Zealand NEWS |
► Price of passion The Cook Islands News 10 October 2009 Would you pay $1400 to spend seven nights in a shared dorm, take part in a five-day work week starting early in the morning and running into the night doing tasks like cleaning dog and cat kennels, and caring for sick and orphaned animals?  To many it is incomprehensible, but to Kiwi animal lover Michelle Smith from New Lynn, Auckland, it was a rare opportunity to do something she’s always dreamed of. Smith successfully bid on an auction package ‘The Esther Honey Experience’ in 2008. “This was an opportunity for the right person to delve into the heart of our foundation,” says Karen Galvan. “To some people, the experience of volunteer work for a charity like EHF and being involved in hands on care of sick animals is a dream come true. “Obviously working at a clinic on a tropical island is a bonus and as with all EHF volunteers, Michelle is a true animal welfare champion because she is prepared to put her money where her mouth is, lending her precious holiday time and donating her hard earned dollar to help Cook Islands animals.” The foundation was named one of the top 100 volunteer experiences in the world in 2008. Attracting volunteers from around the globe not only enhances volunteer experience, it also expands the knowledge base and quality of veterinary service to the Cook Islands. Smith commented from Auckland saying, “I had a great time with you all and love Rarotonga. You do an awesome job at EHF with limited resources .” Says Galvan: “We say thanks to Michelle for sharing our passion.” - EHF |
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Star Gazing in Rarotonga with EHF volunteers   NZ's Pio Terei was recently on Rarotonga to film for Maori television and graciously came by the EHF Animal Clinic to visit with EHF Volunteers & friends. |
 ►Dog Guru shrugs off ‘shrink’ label Cook Island News May 21 2009 There are no ‘magic tricks’ involved in training dogs. This is according to internationally qualified and recognised dog behaviourist and trainer Simon Goodall who is on the island this week. Goodall owns Dog Guru, a New Zealand dog training and behaviourist company. While on the island Goodall, will meet with 18 dog owners to help them learn basic commands to teach their dogs good behaviour. “Dogs don’t naturally stay on their own property or stay on the leash or even sit,” says Goodall. “People have to learn how to command and control their dogs.” Apart from having one-on-one sessions with dog owners, Goodall and his team of trainers will be visiting schools on their short visit. They will be teaching kids to identify the stress signals in dogs before they get bitten.  “We will show them how to approach dogs properly and identify stress signals,” says Goodall. It won’t all be hard work though for the kids as the Dog Guru team promise some fun surprises. Goodall says that he hopes his team will be able to experience different dog behaviour issues as most dogs in New Zealand suffer from the same conditions, namely being overfed and over-stimulated. On the island, the most common complaint from dog owners is that their dogs don’t listen to them, or dig holes in the garden and chase vehicles. Some people may be skeptical about the dog guru’s ability to help dogs behave properly but I for one have seen what Goodall can do. In just 10 minutes, Goodall helped me to teach my hyper deaf dog Cammy to sit, stay and lie down – all without voice command. He also reckons that in one hour he can help a dog understand its boundary which will then prevent it from chasing vehicles and people on the road On the island, the most common complaint from dog owners is that their dogs don’t listen to them, or dig holes in the garden and chase vehicles. Some people may be skeptical about the dog guru’s ability to help dogs behave properly but I for one have seen what Goodall can do. In just 10 minutes, Goodall helped me to teach my hyper deaf dog Cammy to sit, stay and lie down – all without voice command. He also reckons that in one hour he can help a dog understand its boundary which will then prevent it from chasing vehicles and people on the road. “We do cop some flack for being dog shrinks but we do it because we love what we do and we are passionate about it,” says Goodall. If you would like Goodall to help you achieve a happy and healthy relationship between you and your family dog, then call Karen Galvan at the Esther Honey Foundation in Nikao on 22 336 . - MW _________________________________________________ ►Dog ‘guru’ due to visit CI NEWS 7 May 2009 Are you at your wits end trying to get your family dog to behave? If you are, don’t despair. The Esther Honey Foundation is bringing to Rarotonga internationally qualified and recognised dog behaviourist and trainer Simon Goodall (right) – the dog guru. Goodall and his team of trainers from New Zealand will be visiting Rarotonga between Wednesday May 20 and Saturday May 23. Goodall is the Kiwi version of American Dog Behaviourist Caesar Millan who works with problem dogs and problem owners to fix behavioural issues that are making both dog and humans life a living hell. ‘Dog Guru’ is one of New Zealand’s leading dog training and behaviour companies owned by Goodall. Goodall is one of the few fully internationally qualified and recognised dog behaviourists and trainers. If you are not happy with your dog’s behaviour in and around the home environment, then Goodall and his team offer advice and training for all sorts of common problems. Whether it is a major problem or minor issue they can help you to develop a better relationship with your dog and make your dog more well behaved. There are three ways you can meet Goodall and have him help you and your family pet. If you have a dog that could learn some manners then the one-on-one session with Goodall at your home is just the ticket. You and your group could book Goodall for a public speaking session. The public speaking session will see Goodall and his team plus a canine or two show just how you can help your family pet. Schools on Rarotonga should also take up the opportunity to have Goodall come to your school where he will deliver an inspirational and educational programme. If you would like Goodall to come to your school, bring something new to your weekly gathering or to have a one-on-one session with him then book now with Karen Galvin at the Esther Honey Foundation animal clinic in Nikao. _____________________________________________ |
►New Zealand cutie MIA wins $1000 (USD) for EHF  EHF was one of the 38 organizations from 24 countries who participated in SPAY DAY 09 International. From the Humane Society of the United States website: "The Esther Honey Foundation recruited seven volunteers, including three vets, to visit the Cook Islands for Spay Day International events. They spayed/neutered 84 dogs and cats, and treated all for fleas and worms at no cost. They also distributed information to tourists and locals, and visited 20 classes, from preschool to high school, reaching more than 1,000 people about the importance of spay/neuter. More than 6,000 people were reached via the organization's website and through th  e local media. Finally, they entered a photo of a rescued EHF dog, Mia, in the HSUS/HSI Online Pet Photo Contest, raising almost $1000 for Esther Honey's EHF VET TREK® Rarotonga 2009 program and sterilization campaign to spay/neuter 70-80 percent of Rarotonga's dogs." Thanks to all who voted for New Zealander Janet Brown's lovely MIA! ►To Read the EHF SPAY DAY 2009 REPORT: Click Here |
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EHF New Zealand News 2008 |
► Neve Soryl, an inspiration! 8 year old Neve Soryl, NZ SAFE member and animal lover from Christchurch, wanted to help the animals in Rarotonga when her family flew there for a winter holiday in May. Neve had read about the Esther Honey Foundation in an animal magazine.  The EHF provides the only veterinary care for companion animals in the Cook Islands. Its work centres on a neuter and spay programme, whilst also helping any animal needing medical aid. Volunteer vets and helpers from all over the world come to work at the foundation.  Neve decided to help the non profit organisation by collecting donated veterinary supplies to bring to Rarotonga. She wrote to Air New Zealand about her idea and they gave her an extra 10 kilos baggage allowance for the journey.  Neve then wrote veterinary clinics in Christchurch asking them to donate supplies such as surgery equipment and recently expired medicines. Two large boxes of supplies were collected and duly transported by Neve to Rarotonga. The EHF Foundation helped smooth the way with Customs on arrival. A few days later, Neve delivered the boxes and met many of the animals at the centre, including a goat, as well as many cats and dogs of all ages. Cathy Sue Ragan-Anunsen, EHF CEO and founder, said, "The Esther Honey Foundation and EHF Animal Clinic was founded in a similar spirit. We became aware of a need and took action to bring veterinary service to the Cook Islands. We, and all the animals in our care who benefited from Neve's compassion, brilliance, and determination are grateful to this remarkable young woman. She is an inspiring model for all of us but especially for future animal advocates." To learn more about the NZ animal protection organization, Safe NZ: Click Here |
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New Zealand 2008 Published Articles Featuring EHF |
 ►Read one veteterinary nurse's volunteer experience in ProVet NZ's 2008 Publication, PARTNERS in PRACTICE MAGAZINE: News & Articles |
 ►Read "Cook Islands' Honey" Publication:2CATS1DOG Magazine Issue: Masterpet April 2008 News & Articles |
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