Special “patients” of the 88-year-old teacher

Over the past 10 years, the free acupuncture clinic of an 88-year-old-teacher Pham Xuan Van in Hanoi has brought a ray of hope to pets with disabilities. The clinic has become a home for pets abandoned by their owners due to illness as well as a classroom where Associate Professor Dr. Van has passed down her passion to students from the Acupuncture Department under the Vietnam National University of Agriculture.

Despite her old age, teacher Pham Xuan Van regularly comes to the veterinary clinic for dogs and cats at lane 56, Ngo Xuan Quang street, Gia Lam street, Hanoi, to satisfy her love for animals and pass the profession on to students.
Despite her old age, teacher Pham Xuan Van regularly comes to the veterinary clinic for dogs and cats at lane 56, Ngo Xuan Quang street, Gia Lam street, Hanoi, to satisfy her love for animals and pass the profession on to students.

Van said the practice on specimens is necessary for veterinary students. Therefore, she often comes to the class with the hope that veterinary acupuncture will not be lost.

Sua, a cat with a calcium deficiency since childhood, is taken to the doctor every week. At first, Sua could only drag on the ground, but now he walks small steps.

Vang was abandoned by his owner. It was given acupuncture and provided with a prosthetic. For Van and her students, whether pets taken by their owners or abandoned on the street, they all deserve to be loved.

Despite her old age, Van always wants to do all the work in the clinic.

Van and her students are sharing their passion.

Van said: “The treatment of dogs and cats requires a combination of both Eastern and Western medicine. If either one is missing, it is difficult to restore movement to the pets.”

Equipment for teaching and learning was prepared fully and carefully by Van.

The dogs and cats are all scared when they are on the acupuncture table. The students are patiently stroking them to reassure their "patients".

Acupuncture for pets is a difficult technique, requiring ingenuity and high concentration.

The students are performing electroacupuncture under the guidance of their teacher Van.

Following a period of treatment, a dog, who used to be paralysed in its hind legs, is able to walk when he hears the call.

Depending on the species and disease, the “patients” will eat different foods. The students themselves assigned each other to arrive at the clinic early to cook suitable foods.

Food is classified and preserved very carefully and scientifically.

The menu is specified and Teacher Van personally checks the food.

One cat, who was once a feral, is warmed by a machine. Its heart is warmed by the intimacy of the clinic’s members.

Van shared that many pets miss students and their friends at the clinic following many days of treatment.

A dog is treated by Teacher Van.

Translated by NDO