18/05/2026
Last month, one of our lead vets Dr Kellie F had the opportunity to volunteer as a veterinarian in Rarotonga, Cook Islands — combining a working holiday with some truly memorable veterinary experiences 🌴☀️
Working in a remote island community came with unique challenges, including limited access to equipment such as in-house blood testing and ultrasound. Much of the time, veterinary care relied on practical problem-solving, clinical judgement, and making the most of the resources available. You had to think on your feet!
Some highlights included treating an injured juvenile sea turtle, managing a case of ciguatera toxicity in a dog, and treating more than one goat — an area definitely outside Dr F’s usual comfort zone!
Unfortunately, heartworm disease was also seen far too commonly on the island due to the high mosquito population. It served as an important reminder that whilst heartworm disease is prevalent in Australia, we are very fortunate to have easy access to excellent prevention options.
The clinic itself runs largely on donations and community support, so it was inspiring to see the work being done with limited resources but plenty of heart.
And while the veterinary experiences were unforgettable, another unexpected highlight was the incredible local cuisine — plenty of fresh seafood, tropical produce, and some very impressive island coffee spots along the way! The daily sunsets, incredible snorkeling, and beautiful surrounding jungle landscapes weren't too bad either ☀️🐠🌺
Grateful for such a wonderful opportunity to contribute to animal care in such a beautiful part of the world ❤️
