Meet Quinn…..
Quinn is a shy introvert, who lost her legs in an accident years ago. Everytime I visited her, I found her hiding and she seemed scared and insecure. Due to the loss of her legs, she’s not able to move around by herself or interact with people as much as others.
Luckily, Quinn has two other legs and she is being raised by Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society (PPAWS), “a volunteer organization and full-service veterinary clinic based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.”
In Disabled Animal, we are designing and making wheelchairs for domestic disabled animals. Therefore, we dedicated our time, energy and love to give this dog an opportunity to walk around and interact with others. We did this by designing and making a wheelchair for her. But to me, it’s more than that.
We are not just designing and constructing a wheelchair; we are changing Cambodian perspectives to revere animals like a beloved family member.
At first, I joined the Disabled Animal Project with the purpose of helping to give disabled animals a better life. Personally, I’ve always been passionate about animals and it shifted my gears to apply for an internship at PPAWS on the basic veterinarian lesson.
During my internship, I primarily went to the pagoda with the veterinarian and contributed free rabies vaccinations to abandoned dogs and cats. I delivered approx 200 shots, which will prevent rabies in a significant way.
Meanwhile, at the clinic, I was keen on learning about their sickness symptoms and giving them their daily medication every time I was there. Twice a week when I was at PPAWS, as an advantage for my project, I could check on Quinn’s situation to try the wheelchair on her and reported back to the team to make changes.
This year has been a breakthrough to me. I have found my true passion and now I know what I want to do in the future. These experiences inspired me to be involved in helping animals. I’m honored to join PPAWS’s mission on combating rabies, ending dog meat trade, finding new homes for rescues and reducing the insane overpopulation of street animals. Liger has allowed me to explore different passions and subject areas. By taking these opportunities, I have a clearer vision of my future and know that I’m willing to work with animals for the rest of my life.