National Chung Hsing University’s USR ‘Veterinary Volunteer Clinic for Companion Animals‘ Course Delivers Free Clinic Service to Houli Shelter

The National Chung Hsing University's USR (University Social Responsibility) project “StrayLOHAS : Stray Animal Reduction and Animal Welfare Improvement” has launched the Veterinary Volunteer Clinic for Companion Animals Course. On June 7th, 15 students were dispatched to support the Animal Volunteer Clinic in Taichung Animal Shelter Houli Park. The course, now in its fifth year, has received positive feedback from students for teaching about stray animal issues and raising awareness of animal welfare through action.

“The social participation course allows us to step into society and do what we can, which is to truly apply what we learn in the course!” The 30 students enrolled this semester come from a variety of facilities. Initially, the course focused on lectures, bringing in veterinarians and experts to share clinical knowledge and frontline experiences. They would teach both veterinary and non-veterinary students how to use the Veterinary Volunteer Clinic Form, emphasizing on inspection and palpation. During the midterm, students participated in the StrayLOHAS Medical Center which used hospitalized animals as subjects for the Veterinary Volunteer Clinic. At the end of the term, students were divided into groups and dispatched to public and private shelters to help.

During this semester (112-2), they provided free clinical consultations in the private Full Moon Stray Animal Sanctuary and the government Taichung City Animal Shelter, both Nantun and Houli campuses. All consultation information will be shared to the shelters for reference, transforming the students' classroom work into social practice. Some students stated in their end-of-term evaluation, “I used to believe that the environment of animal shelters would be poor, but after visiting three shelters, I discovered that current shelter environment has improved far beyond my expectations. The shelters are extremely clean, contributing to the physical and emotional growth of the animals.”

Associate Professor Shiun-Long Lin has been involved in the spay and neuter of stray dogs and cats in Taiwan for 20 years. He has been applying for and facilitating the Ministry of Education's Higher Education SPROUT Project for University Social Responsibility Practice Programme since 2018. The project established the 'StrayLOHAS Medical Center' at the university to treat dogs and cats from both public and private shelters. Professional and general education courses were introduced in recent years, aiming to cultivate talents that address challenges related to stray animals.

Associate Professor Shiun-Long Lin states that the Veterinary Volunteer Clinic for Companion Animals Course combines knowledge transfer and social practice, encouraging students to understand the challenges faced by public and private shelters and to use their own skills to improve the welfare of shelter animals. In addition to helping with free clinic visits, students record and submit videos for their academic assignments. Future works will be posted on video platforms to educate the public about the field's challenges and current situation, expanding their effort’s social influence.