We had an awesome time on our trip. I have learned so much on this trip, I can’t wait to share it with my fellow classmates. As previously mentioned, my trip detoured to Norway. The country is absolutely beautiful. I was able to see the famous Norwegian ships that travel all around the world. The locals say it is rare for the ships to ever be seen. Other than lots of ocean and islands mixed between the mountains (called fjords), there is farm life everywhere. I had the opportunity to learn more about large animal care. For example, in the summer all the farmers will drive their sheep and goats to the top of the mountains and leave them there for two to three months to graze on the greens. When summer is over, the farmers will go on a search to find their herds. This may sound difficult, but they have proper tags and most of them will eventually come back home before summers end. Even the farmers are amazed at how they can find their way back home. The cattle do something similar, but they are not placed high in the mountains.

I also had the chance to see and pet a Norwegian horse. Its breed name is “fjording”. It is a little smaller than a quarter horse and only found in Norway. I have enclosed a picture. Norway does not have a problem with animal population. For the most part, everyone takes care of their pet as their a part of the family. I have also noticed that pets tend to listen better to their owners. Most of them walk off a leash even though it is prohibited. This is because, along with Denmark, behavior training is implemented more than in the States.

Unlike us, their tech schools have more than one class in animal behavior. I think the States should implement this in our colleges not only in tech programs, but in Veterinarian studies as well. Most of our animals are in shelters because of behavior issues. Our society is uneducated on proper behavior and training of dogs. I believe we can save more dog homes by learning more and teaching more. Seems to be working for Scandinavia.

With much information that was learned, it was a great opportunity and experience that more students should have embarked on. It has opened up my horizons to a different view of the Veterinary field. I now only hope, as well for others, to have more opportunities like this to help me become a more well-rounded Veterinary “Nurse”.

P.S. Here is a little history of the mountain photo… Lake Bondhus (Bondhusvatnet)

The road leading to Bondhus is locally known as the “Ice Road”. It was constructed in 1860 in order to transport blocks of ice from the glacier you can see on the top of the mountain, at the far end. The ice was exported to various parts of Europe for cooling fish and for general use in large households and hotels. Before the road, people had to carry these on their backs. The glacial fall at the time came almost down to the shore of the lake. Due to global warming, you can see how much the glacier “leg” has melted since then. It is barely recognizable. This picture is a sad portrait of where our earth is progressing to.