30.05.25 - Making a difference as a Veterinary Nurse volunteer in Tonga
Mhirron first came across the opportunity to volunteer with Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) through a colleague who recommended an assignment to her. “Mhirron, have you heard about this role? It would be perfect for you!” she recalls her colleague saying. That same night, Mhirron looked up the position in Tonga and immediately applied for it. “It ticked all the boxes for what my partner and I wanted for our next chapter,” she said, and it would become the beginning of a deeply rewarding journey.
In Tonga, Mhirron works as a veterinary nurse, focusing on building local capacity in animal welfare and enhancing veterinary nursing skills. Partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MAFF) Livestock Division, she brings not only her clinical expertise but also a strong commitment to education. With eight years of experience behind her, Mhirron says, “Teaching has become a passion of mine. I love working with different people because there is always new knowledge to gain from each interaction.”
Mhirron works as a Veterinary Nurse in Tonga
Mhirron’s impact in the community has been positive. At the Tokomololo clinic in Tongatapu, she has led efforts to increase staff knowledge of common diseases and to make the best use of limited resources. One significant achievement has been the introduction of bilingual pamphlets in English and Tongan, allowing animal owners to take information home and better care for their pets. She has also helped the clinic staff improve how they label and explain medications, enabling clearer understanding among community members. These efforts have led to a growing sense of confidence among the MAFF team. “Seeing the progress the MAFF staff have made has brought me to tears more than once – slow and steady wins the race.”
One of the challenges Mhirron has encountered is the limited availability of basic veterinary supplies. But through flexibility and innovation, she and the team continue to deliver care with what they have. Even more challenging, according to Mhirron, is the frequent appearance of parvovirus in local dogs – a condition that is hard to treat in places with limited resources. “Here in Tonga, we often see puppies when the disease is at its worst, and therapeutic treatments might not be effective,” she says. “It’s heartbreaking but pushes us to find alternative ways to support the animals as best we can. Mhirron and the team remain committed to finding ways to support animals and the people who care for them.
Her work extends beyond the clinic. During visits from the Southern Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) team, she joins efforts to bring free veterinary care to island communities with little or no access to such services. The collaboration provides not just treatment to animals in need, but also a boost in morale and capacity for the local teams who care for the animals.
Veterinary clinic in Tonga
During her time in Tonga, Mhirron has also immersed herself in the culture. She is even working hard to learn the language. “Each week, I pick up a new sentence or a few new words,” she says. She has also enjoyed sharing meals with her colleagues including traditional dishes like breadfruit cooked in the umu, and Lu. “Lu is a delicious dish made from taro leaves and meat, cooked with coconut milk and onions,” she says. “It’s absolutely amazing!”
Through her work and her presence, Mhirron is not only improving animal welfare in Tonga, but also strengthening the skills and confidence of those around her. “For me, volunteering has been about sharing a piece of my passion with everyone I meet and, in return, carrying a part of them with me.”
VSA volunteers in Tonga