Animals Asia Vet Nurses Rae Joy and Caroline Nelson

Rae Joy

I have been a vet nurse for 17 years (prior to this I worked in the human welfare area).  Vet nursing experience includes:

• Welfare work at a cat shelter and wildlife shelter
• Working at a busy small animal practice
• Critical care/emergency medicine
• Zoo and wildlife vet nursing (11 years)

I have been involved with Animals Asia Foundation for 6 years. I have volunteered twice as a behavioural volunteer (at both the China and Vietnam bear rescue centres) and once (in China) as a veterinary nurse.  I also worked as a volunteer fundraiser and educator when at home in Perth, Western Australia.   I have wanted to be a full time member of the Animals Asia team ever since I first saw the work of Animals Asia in China 2005. However I had many rescued pets at home and couldn’t leave them for a long period of time.  I finally got my opportunity to join the team in Feb 2011.

Caroline Nelson

I have been working as a Veterinary nurse with Animals Asia since Nov 2007. I came to know about Animals Asia when I was working in small animal practice in the UK. I went to volunteer as a veterinary nurse at the centre in China in the summer of 2007. I came back to work fulltime when a position came available in Nov of 2007. I worked at the centre in China till May 2010; I transferred to the centre in Vietnam in May 2010.

I have now been working closely with bears for 4 years and I have been extremely lucky to get the chance to work at both centres. The time here has given me a wealth of experience in looking and working after these amazing bears from all age groups from cubs to geriatric bears.

Being able to live and work in two beautiful countries has allowed me to see first hand what changes people can achieve through a common goal. Plus to see the achievements Animals Asia’s work throughout Asia has been a privilege. With this job I must say has given me the opportunity to work with the most brilliant people from around the world.