Australian-based international veterinary charity Vets Beyond Borders (VBB) will deploy its first veterinary team to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in April 2026, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across the Pacific.
Among the volunteers heading to PNG is veterinary nurse Helen Spry from Inverell NSW, who has just been named the inaugural recipient of VBB’s Buddy Giving Program Volunteer Excellence Award in recognition of her long-standing commitment to animal welfare.
Helen is about to embark on her 12th deployment with VBB’s VetMatch program, which delivers animal health services and community education across the Asia–Pacific in regions with limited access to veterinary care.
Over the years, she has volunteered in the Cook Islands (three times), Sardinia, Thursday Island (three times), Nauru, Vanuatu (twice) and Fiji – bringing her experience and dedication to some of the region’s most challenging environments.
In PNG, Helen and her five Australian colleagues will work alongside the RSPCA of PNG for two weeks, supporting local veterinary services and animal welfare initiatives.
The volunteer team includes veterinarians Dr Helen Todd (Dee Why, NSW), Dr Helen Purdam (Canberra, ACT) and Dr Corinne Lendon (Ferny Grove, QLD), and vet nurses Nikki Hohmuth (Canberra) and Ruby Swanston (Erina NSW).
“Deploying our first team to Papua New Guinea marks an important milestone for Vets Beyond Borders as we expand our work across the Pacific,” said Professor Nick Sangster, Chair of VBB.
“We congratulate Helen on being named the inaugural recipient of the Buddy Giving Program Volunteer Excellence Award. Her unwavering commitment, skill and compassion exemplify the spirit of the award and the values at the heart of our organisation. We are incredibly proud to recognise her contribution as we take this next step.”
Helen works full-time as a veterinary nurse and while she loves her role, she says volunteering with VBB gives her the opportunity to support animals and communities beyond her local clinic.
“The work I do with VBB makes a difference. It’s a privilege to be part of it,” she says. “To be able to go and help animals in remote places, show communities how to care for their animals, and give them a better life is incredibly rewarding.”
Through her volunteer work, Helen has seen the challenges faced by communities with limited access to veterinary services, where unmanaged animal populations can lead to preventable disease and suffering.
“Regular desexing and animal health clinics, like those supported by VBB, are vital. Without them, female dogs can have litter after litter, leading to rapid population growth in communities with limited veterinary access. Many puppies won’t survive, and those that do often face disease, injury and neglect. It’s a terrible life,” she says.
“The single most effective way we can improve animal welfare and public health in developing communities is through animal population management programs, like VBB’s VetMatch. I’ve seen firsthand how well they work.”
The expansion of VBB’s VetMatch program into PNG has been made possible through the Buddy Giving Program, proudly supported by Buddy Pet Insurance.
The program helps fund volunteer deployments across the Asia–Pacific, enabling experienced veterinary professionals like Helen to deliver essential care where it is most needed.
“Volunteering as a veterinary nurse is my passion. Seeing animals and people learning together brings me enormous joy — healthier animals mean happier animals and happier communities,” says Helen.
“To be part of VBB’s inaugural PNG deployment is incredibly special, and to be the first volunteer recognised through the Buddy Giving Program Volunteer Excellence Award is truly humbling. After 13 overseas volunteer trips (11 of those with VBB), having this deployment supported by the Buddy Giving Program fills me with gratitude. I can’t stop smiling.”
Vets Beyond Borders thanks Buddy Pet Insurance for its ongoing support of volunteers who are making lasting change for animals and communities across the Asia-Pacific.
Media Release: Vets Beyond Borders
