CAS Learning Outcomes:
Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
I have been an active member of the K9 club and showing regular participation in activities held by the club. As we have been associated with the CHSAThai shelter for a while, the club decided to visit the shelter. The club planned a 2 night trip outside Bangkok, to Saraburi, where we can visit the shelter and help them as well as have a great weekend away from home. The purpose of this trip was to explore the shelter while the owner was narrating stories of a few of the dogs and how they are managing this organization. Being a committed member of the K9 club, I wanted to go for this trip and see the shelter, the conditions and understand more about this shelter. I was excited about this trip because on this trip we were going to learn as well as have a great time. When we went to the shelter, the owner gave us a warm welcome and showed us around the place and told us stories about the difficulties the dogs have been through. Before this trip, I was aware of what this shelter was about and its goals but when I visited the shelter and saw 2000+ dogs, it was eye-opening and touching to see how each one of them has been through a hard time. I am scared of all animals, but I feel pity for them and want to help them. The sight of 2000+ dogs was frightening so I was learning how to remain cool around dogs. I spend most of my time watching the puppies. The owner explained how these dogs are traumatized therefore care and love from visitors are healthy for their mental health. The puppies were very friendly and playful. We made repeated visits to the shelter during the 2 days we were in Saraburi. We helped to plant seeds in their lawn which was later used as food and playing purposes for the dogs. My friend and I interviewed the owner and asked him various questions about managing and financing the shelter. The K9 Club is planning to spread awareness about this shelter and adopting dogs from this shelter instead of buying, The K9 CHSAThai shelter trip was truly one of the great and eyeopening trips. It shows how the club as a whole has been committed to serving this shelter and how we pulled this trip altogether. Along with that, we developed new skills, like interviewing, plowing lawns, playing with puppies and learn more about animals and the world around us. I am looking forward to another trip to the same shelter in the following year.
