Shannon Melcher in Thailand for 4 weeks to help dogs, elephants

This summer, Shannon Melcher, 21, of Belleville, spent four weeks in Thailand helping animals and learning hands-on what it’s like to be a veterinarian.
Traveling with the Boston-based Loop Abroad, Melcher was part of a small team that volunteered giving care at a dog shelter and then spent three weeks working directly with rescued elephants at an elephant sanctuary.
The Veterinary Service program brings students to Thailand for two weeks to volunteer alongside a staff veterinarian. For one week, students volunteer at the Animal Rescue Kingdom dog shelter in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The shelter is home to more than 100 dogs who have been rescued after being abandoned, beaten, or abused. While the dogs can be adopted, any who aren’t will be cared for by the shelter for their whole lives.
While they learned what it’s like to be a veterinarian, students made a difference in the lives of these dogs. By providing check-ups and cleanings, diagnosing and treating ear and eye problems, taking and testing blood, administering vaccines, cleaning and treating wounds, and helping with sterilization surgeries, the students were able to help support the health and well-being of the dogs.
The group also spent one week at the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand to work hands-on with the animals and learn about animal rescue and conservation on a larger scale. Melcher stayed for two additional weeks to continue her work with the elephants.
The Elephant Nature Park is home to more than 40 elephants who have been rescued from trekking, logging, or forced breeding programs. Many of them have been abused and suffer from chronic injuries.
At the Elephant Nature Park, they are cared for by volunteers from all over the world. Students were able to feed, bathe, and care for elephants, as well as learn about their diagnoses alongside an elephant vet.
The Elephant Nature Park is also home to more than 400 dogs and 100 cats, as well as rabbits and water buffalo, and is sustained in huge part by the work of weekly volunteers like Melcher.
“This trip taught me so much in two weeks!” Melcher said. “I feel much better about going into vet school after this. The cultural and animal experience was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Melcher is a student at Alma College, majoring in biology. She graduated from Belleville High School in 2012. Her parents are Bryan and Donna Melcher.