In June, we were delighted to welcome a volunteer from Canada to our Mayhew Georgia Clinic for three weeks.

Mikayla, an aspiring veterinarian, is studying biology and conservation at a university in Canada. Having already volunteered for other animal welfare projects, Mikayla wanted to broaden her existing experience, particularly in animal care overseas. The Mayhew Georgia dog population management programme proved to be the perfect opportunity for her.

When asked about the reason behind choosing Mayhew Georgia, Mikayla, said: “I found Mayhew Georgia after stumbling down a few LinkedIn rabbit holes, looking for charitable organisations abroad to develop my global competency as well as spay & neuter clinical experience. When I discovered that Mayhew offered an international outreach branch in Georgia, I felt an immediate connection and knew it was an opportunity I had to pursue.”

During her time volunteering, Mikayla was a great asset to the team. She assisted in prepping animals for surgery, preparing surgical kits, and supporting pre- and post-op care. Through her hard work, she gained invaluable experience that we hope will benefit her studies and future career.

Looking back on her time volunteering and her personal highlights, Mikayla, said: “My time at Mayhew Georgia was nothing short of incredible. The opportunity to volunteer for three weeks at the clinic was transformative, serving as a turning point in my professional, personal, and intercultural development. While the language barrier was one of my initial apprehensions before coming as I don’t speak Georgian, I was met with nothing but warm smiles, shared laughs, and encouragement from the team.

“The kindness and hospitality that is fostered throughout the team, from the veterinarians to the veterinary student interns, to the partner team at Doggy Doc, truly transcends any language barrier. No matter where my professional journey takes me, I’ll never forget my time at Mayhew Georgia.”

We were proud to have Mikayla join our Mayhew Georgia Team and are deeply grateful for her choice to volunteer with us and support our ongoing work in Georgia.

For more information on how to get involved with our international work in Georgia, please visit our website here.