An Aztec Living Among Elephants
Biology senior Tori Parker spent her summer in a unique way, learning a new culture and befriending elephants.
The next day, the air is engulfed with the fresh scent of running water in one of Thailand鈥檚 finest spots for whitewater rafting.
Experiences of a lifetime, which were all made possible for one student after she clicked on a simple Facebook ad.
San Diego State biology senior Tori Parker traveled to Thailand for four weeks this past summer to learn about Thai culture and experience what it鈥檚 like to participate in real veterinarian work.
鈥淭he trip was about becoming a more worldly person and figuring out what kind of career you wanted,鈥� Parker said.
Parker was part of a small group of volunteers with Loop Abroad, an organization that provides medical services to stray cats and dogs and also works with rescue elephants living at an elephant sanctuary.
For the first week, Parker worked with stray cats and dogs at the Animal Rescue Kingdom, a dog shelter in Chiang Mai, providing shelter and medical treatment.
She spent the following two weeks working hands-on with the animals in northern Thailand鈥檚 Elephant Nature Park.
Along with elephants, this wildlife park is home to over 400 dogs, 100 cats, as well as water buffalo and monkeys.
As a volunteer, Parker was able to feed, bathe and care for the rescued elephants. These elephants were rescued from the brutal trekking, logging or forced breeding programs that persist in areas of Thailand.
鈥淎nimals don鈥檛 have a voice to explain when they鈥檙e not feeling well or when they鈥檙e sick,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淚 just want to be that person who could help something that doesn鈥檛 have a voice.鈥�
In the past, Parker thought she wanted to become a medical coroner. However, she realized that her love for animals was too powerful not pursue as a career.
鈥淚 have always fought for animal rights for as long as I can remember, so I thought to myself, 鈥榃hy not do something that I already really love?鈥欌�� Parker said.
Volunteers like Parker travel from around the world to work in these wildlife facilities and impact the animals in positive ways.
Sophomore Jubilee Garcia of Pierce College in 色情视频 was one of the other volunteers on the program.
鈥淗aving met people from all over the states and a different country made my trip better because we all shared our knowledge and helped each other expand in the veterinary mindset, but also in the social outcome of it,鈥� Garcia said.
Junior Miranda Blehm from the University of West Florida also volunteered in Thailand this summer. She said meeting diverse people from around the world was incredible.
鈥淓veryone had different things to offer the group through different school and work experiences,鈥� Blehm said.
Parker said the trip helped her to remember that the process of helping animals also involves human connection.
鈥淚t takes connections with others around you in your work environment,鈥� Parker said.
Whether it was experiencing one of Thailand鈥檚 well-known monsoons or feeding lunch to an elephant, Parker鈥檚 volunteer trip to Thailand was unforgettable.
鈥淚 feel like everyone who has the opportunity to leave the country needs to do it because it鈥檚 an amazing experience, and it gives you such a new insight,鈥� Parker said.
Parker said she wishes all Aztecs could experience a summer in Thailand, befriending elephants, making connections and learning about a different culture.
This article originally appeared in .
