Ouk Hok Sy

Mr Buntha lives in the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia, which has a population of over 1/4 million people. He treats on a daily basis an average of 40 (high season) and 15 (low season) animals – both domestic and stray – occasionally aided by an assistant, but usually on his own. He sees dogs that have been fighting EVERY day [most likely for territorial reasons, since most dogs in Cambodia do not get routinely desexed]; he recommends on those occasions that the animal get a rabies shot, but many don’t return the next year.  


He also does home visits; undertakes outreach programs at pagodas to treat animal populations there [17 pagodas in Siem Reap area so far]; guides medical students through in-clinic and outreach procedures; as well as assists at organised international vet visits which occur 2 to 3 times a year. As well as his own city practice, the nominee also visits rural villages in Siem Reap Province, where he tends to advise local practitioners (rather than treats, himself) regarding the health of the community’s livestock and ‘pets’. 


Rabies vaccines are routinely administered to animals at his clinic, as well as during outreach programs, and during home visits – and, with his personal clients, he routinely rings them to remind them of booster shots. He estimates that 90% of his clients will return for booster vaccines – up to a period of about 5 years, but for most Cambodians there is no great expectation that their animals are going to live a long, happy life; if the dog dies, they get a new dog. 


He helps to disseminate information about rabies [prevention and treatments] to his community through posters and brochures available at his clinic and via his Facebook page, but since there are an estimated 5 million dogs in Cambodia – of which most are NOT vaccinated (even though they are owned) – he certainly has his work cut out for him!

(Excerpt from nomination)

Pagoda outreach - 3