Volunteering overseas was the experience of a lifetime, says Ella

amandalittle2
Jun 2, 2025
4 min read

VETS and RVNs can now apply for the latest round of funding from VetPartners to undertake clinical work with animal charities across the world.

As well as having the fulfilment of volunteering for worthy causes, colleagues can also boost their clinical skills by working often in the most challenging conditions.

Vet Ella Townsend, from St Peter’s Vets, spent a week volunteering with the Worldwide Veterinary Service in the Galápagos Islands.

It was an incredible, eye-opening experience she will never forget, as she reveals here….

ELLA TOWNSEND’S dream of vising the Galápagos Islands began while sitting in her living room more than 6,000 miles away in Hampshire.

Sir David Attenborough’s landmark documentary, Galápagos, showed the wildlife of the magnificent islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the west coast of South America, which offer sanctuary to some of the planet’s rarest creatures.

When Ella heard how VetPartners was offering grants for anyone wanting to do clinical work overseas, she applied for a place and knew exactly where she wanted to volunteer.

She volunteered at a clinic called the Galapagos Animal Doctors, a joint venture between the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) and Pan Animalia Group (PAG).

An increasing number of domesticated animals requiring healthcare across the four inhabited islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristobal, and Floreana has led to a need for expert veterinary care on the Galápagos Islands.

The WVS simultaneously supports animal health and welfare and protects precious biodiversity on the remote islands. The unregulated population of domestic animals not only adversely impacts the biodiversity of the endemic wildlife and their protected ecosystems through predation, competition, and infectious disease introduction, but also results in concerns over their health and welfare.

After arriving on the Galápagos Islands, Ella realised the size of the challenge ahead as there was no anaesthetic gas only injectables, the only x-ray machine was broken and there was very little client education on the need to vaccinate pets – a service which is only just starting to be offered by vets.

Having graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2016, she found herself the most experienced vet in the clinic, bringing an added responsibility she relished, as well as an opportunity to share her skills and knowledge during her two-weeks of working in practice.

“It was a fantastic experience of a lifetime,” said Ella.

“The procedures and surgeries we do routinely in the UK, such as eyelid lump removals, are big things out there and it was nice to be able to help the clinical teams. When I volunteered, I didn’t want to just go and help with neutering programmes, I wanted to fully integrate myself in the work and local community.

“They had a second-hand ultrasound machine from the UK, and I was able to show them the basics on how to use it.”

As well as working in a practice, Ella had the opportunity to visit large animal shelters to carry out health checks on all the dogs. The Galápagos Islands also have a big neutering programme to reduce the dog and cat population to protect its wildlife.

She was also on the frontline for some serious cases where she was able to use her skills, care and expertise to full advantage.

Ella said: “Dog vaccines have just been introduced so there is a massive campaign to vaccinate the dogs and also educate owners. Parvovirus and Distemper can both be passed on to the island’s large sea lion population, so it is important to vaccinate.

“We had a dog brought in with tetanus. He was a lovely dog and had the stereotypical facial expression and lock jaw, but we were able to treat him successfully.

“We also had to amputate the broken leg of a dog that had been hit by a moped. We drove with the dog sedated in the back of a taxi to a human hospital to do the x-ray as the x-ray machine was broken. We did surgery with no anaesthetic gas as that is cost prohibitive for the charity so all anaesthetics were carried out using TIVA protocols and, thankfully, we had access to lots of different pain relief to keep her comfortable.

“It is a different world for a vet from the UK, but you get to use all your skills, and you realise the importance of people working together to deliver the best possible outcomes.”

Ella added: “Volunteering is a real confidence boost and a skills bost. As vets we have a great skill set and we are trained very well to help animals. You can go anywhere in the world and make a real difference to animal health and welfare.”

As well as a grant of €1800 VetPartners provides one-week’s paid leave for vets and RVNs to volunteer overseas.

While she was on the Galápagos Islands, she extended her stay at her own expense to explore the islands.

“I’m interested in the environment and sustainability, so it was really fascinating to see the island,” said Ella.

“It was amazing as it is an incredible place. There are so many sea lions and giant land tortoises that are over 100 years old. I went snorkelling and saw sharks, penguins, manta rays and turtles. There were Blue-Footed Boobies, Red-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds.

“I’d always dreamed of seeing the Galápagos Islands and VetPartners made it possible and gave me an incredible opportunity to give back and help others.”

Vets and RVNs who have worked for VetPartners for at least 12 months can apply for a grant to volunteer overseas.
Applications open on 2nd June and close at 11.59pm on 20th June. There will be another application round in October this year.
Successful applicants will receive a week of paid leave for the volunteering, and will be covered by VetPartners' travel insurance policy.
Subject to approval from practice management, successful applicants may spend longer than a week overseas (volunteering or holiday travel) but must make up the additional time from their annual leave or take unpaid leave.
Grants of €1800 are available, with any additional costs to be paid by the colleague.