Several weeks ago I got an opportunity of a lifetime to go over 9,000 miles away from home to experience something that some people will never get the opportunity to experience. As part of the Work Experience class at the St. Petersburg College Veterinary Technology program we were able to go to Thailand and work with an endangered species, the Asian elephant. WFFT or Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand which was about 3 hours from Bangkok is a facility that saves these endangered animals from being used in logging companies, being ridden for entertainment, and abuse. WTTF has just celebrated its 16th anniversary and was started by an ex dutch fashion designer that needed a change in his life and wanted to leave a legacy. The experience I had at this facility was probably one that I will never get to experience again. I will say that the days were not easy, with the extreme heat and humidity definitely made for a tough working environment but does not change the fact that is was an awesome experience. One particular elephant whose name is “Malai” and is in the pictures attached was walked in a large field right next door to her enclosure and it was so special because the Mahout (which is the elephant handler) would almost leave you and the elephant alone to make it a much more rewarding experience, it was almost like it was you and the elephant all alone and almost having this connection which sounds silly but it was truly amazing. I greatly enjoyed this trip even though it was hard work and for someone who wants to work with exotics just like this at some point of his career this has definitely helped me in furthering my experience and reaching a lifelong goal.

Click here to read other stories from the SPC Thailand Study Abroad program.