Members of Biophilia (KU volunteer group composed of College of Veterinary Medicine students, professors, and alumni), professors and KU alumi veterinarians visited Vientiane, Laos during January 16-24, 2018, to vaccinate and treat small animals as well as farm animals. On their third visit, 700 small animals and farm animals such as swine, dogs, cows, and goats, were vaccinated against PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) and rabies and wormed by the volunteer group, including fifteen College of Veterinary Medicine students, professor Heon-yeong Yun, and professor Hyeon-jeong Han.
For this trip, various organizations, including Seoul Veterinary Medical Association, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hospital of KU, ChoongAng Vaccine Lab, Bayer Korea, BK Pharm, and Green Cross Veterinary Products Co,. LTD, have donated vaccines and medical equipment.
Due to shortage of veterinarians, mass deaths of farm animals have occurred every three years in Laos. In addition, it is difficult for villagers who are exposed to zoonoses such as rabies to receive appropriate medical treatment. Through volunteer trips to Laos, Biophilla which started this trip to help people and animals in dire need of help in 2016 has vaccinated 2000 animals and contributed to improvement of public health in Laos. “We made volunteer service trips to Laos three times. I thought we needed to try harder to more effectively offer assistance to the villagers who warmly welcome us whenever we visit,” Biophilla president and KU student, Do-hyeon Kim. Then added, “we are truly thankful to KU alumni veterinarians believing in and supporting us and to pharmaceutical companies donating a great number of vaccines and medical equipment. We will participate in volunteer activities more passionately”.