Truro veterinarian volunteering at spay/neuter clinic in Nepal

TRURO, N.S. — Dr. Gwen Mowbray-Cashen is travelling to Nepal with ashes, collars and leashes.
The Truro veterinarian is volunteering at a World Vets spay/neuter clinic in Kathmandu and hopes to scatter some of her mother’s ashes while she’s there. 
“My mum taught English and went to Nepal and did some trekking,” she said. “She found it really spiritual.
“It’s my first time going to that part of the world, and I wanted to go because of that connection and because there are a lot of street dogs in that area. We’ll be doing surgery on both street dogs and owned dogs. There’s also a high rabies worry so we’ll be vaccinating against that.”
The high-volume clinic will be run in co-operation with a rescue group from the area and surgeries will be done in a monastery.
Mowbray-Cashen is taking donated collars, harnesses and leashes with her.
“When I took part in the other clinics (in Ecuador and Nicaragua) people were so touched when they heard about people in Canada donating these things,” she said. “Communication will be slowed down because I don’t have any Nepalese, but there will be interpreters. Everywhere you go, people love their dogs and it’s a wonderful experience to be able to help."
Her sister, who is a fisheries biologist, is taking part in the clinic as an assistant.
The trip began Nov. 14 and will last about two weeks.
Nepal is located between India and Tibet and is known for its mountains, including Mt. Everest, and temples. About one-quarter of the population lives below the poverty line.