Lubbock Christian University volleyball standout Kelsie French has been busy this summer, and not just in preparation for her senior season. The libero from Lubbock, Texas, spent two weeks in Thailand helping animals and learning hands-on what it's like to be a veterinarian.
 
She completed the trip with a study-abroad organization called Loop Abroad. French was selected as part of a small team that volunteered giving care at a dog shelter and spent a week working directly with rescued elephants at an elephant sanctuary.
 
The Veterinary Service program brings students to Thailand for two weeks to volunteer alongside veterinarians from the US and Thailand.  For one week, French and her team volunteered at the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand to work hands-on with the giant animals and learn about animal rescue and conservation on a larger scale. The Elephant Nature Park is home to over 60 elephants who have been rescued from trekking, logging, or forced breeding programs. Many of them had been abused and suffer from chronic injuries or blindness. At the Elephant Nature Park, they are cared for by volunteers from all over the world. French helped to feed and care for elephants, as well as learn about their diagnoses alongside an elephant vet. The Elephant Nature Park is also home to over 1,000 animals, including cats, dogs, water buffalo, horses, and cows, and is sustained in huge part by the work of weekly volunteers like French.
 
For the other week, French volunteered at the Animal Rescue Kingdom dog shelter and helped to run Loop Abroad's Dog Rescue Clinic in Chiang Mai, Thailand. These shelters are home to over 200 dogs who have been rescued after being abandoned, beaten, or abused. While the dogs can be adopted, any that are not will be cared for by the shelters for their whole lives.

While she studied under the veterinarians leading her group, French and her team made a difference in the lives of these dogs. By providing check-ups and cleanings, diagnosing and treating ear and eye problems, taking and testing blood, administering vaccines, cleaning and treating wounds, and helping with sterilization surgeries, the students were able to help support the health and well-being of these dogs.
 
Loop Abroad has animal science, marine biology, and veterinary programs for students and young adults age 14 - 30, and offers financial aid and fundraising help. Interested participants can inquire or apply at www.LoopAbroad.com. Admission to veterinary programs is selective and French was selected based on her transcript, admissions essay, and professional references.
 
Here is a little Q&A with French about her experience in Thailand:
 
Q – What was the best part of your experience?
 
KF - This program really showed me how incredible another part of the world really is. A big part of making that experience what-it-was, was definitely were the amazing people! They worked so hard for us every single day to make it the best experience possible. They were truly selfless and loved us so well. Two of my other favorites were all of the animals, and the views were also amazing!
 
Q – Did you like working with dogs or elephants better?
 
KF - Honestly, both of them were amazing. I learned so many new things about both dogs and elephants. I love how each animal had its own personality, and it was a blast getting to be around so many different ones.
 
Q – Do you want to be a veterinarian, and how did this program/trip change or enhance your views towards that?
 
KF - Yes, I do! This Loop Abroad program opened my eyes to the fact that there are animals everywhere who need help. This program (Loop Abroad) goes all out with helping them and teaching the next generation how to continue to do so. It truly was inspiring being a part of it, and now I find it motivating to continue to learn and work hard towards being a veterinarian so that I too can pass that along.
 
Q – What was unique about Thailand, and if you were to return what would you want to do first? 
 
KF - Thailand was so special and there were so many things I loved about being there. The people were amazing. They were always so loving, kind and genuine. 
If I ever get the chance to go back, I would choose going back to ENP first. It is the Elephant Nature Park, which is a safe haven for all kinds of animals (not just elephants) who have been mistreated or just need somewhere to call home. I wish I had the words to describe to you how amazing that place is. What they stand for and believe in is inspiring, and how they love and care for those animals is what I strive to do someday.
 
Q – Is focusing on academics as a volleyball student-athlete challenging, and what advice do you give incoming student-athletes in balancing athletics and academics?
 
KF - Yes it can be challenging at first, but once I found what study habits worked for me and how to manage my time appropriately things began to fall into place. My best advice for incoming student-athletes regarding balancing school and sport is to communicate. Tell your professor when you'll be gone because of travel, tell someone when you're struggling in a class and they can get you set up with someone who can help you. My next piece of advice is to try not to procrastinate. This can seem so difficult sometimes, but you'll thank yourself later if you just get your work done…  trust me, ha!
 
 
Special "thanks" to Jane Stine, managing director of Loop Abroad for contributing to this story…