Phet Sounthonnavong is the Country Co-ordinator, Laos at Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord.
Phet has over 27 years of experience in international development setting. She has worked in various sectors in Laos including six years of professional management of international volunteer program as a Country Program Manager - her knowledge of the local context, culture, and traditions enables her to provide exceptional care to international volunteers, and outstanding support to partner organizations. She has also worked in public health, agricultural relief, inclusive education, vocational training, and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)/mine action.
She has been well trained in Exploded Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) by Handicap International France, UNICEF, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, UNDP, and National Regulatory Authority (Mine Action Centre in Laos). She is a very experienced EORE practitioner and is passionate about Behavioural Change approach. She has implemented various EORE and UXO Victim Assistance projects for international non-governmental organizations. She has critical experience in the interplay between EORE and UXO Victim Assistance. She was instrumental in work on the epidemiological case-control study and played a key role in the UNDP EORE KAP survey conducted by RK Consulting (EOD) Ltd.
Phet is a dog whisperer and animal lover. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her dog, family and friends, traveling, and cooking her favourite meals and experimenting new recipes in the kitchen.
The Animals & Ales Pet Photo Contest has officially come to a close! Thanks to our amazing participants, voters, and supporters, we raised over $102,000 to provide critical veterinary care for animals in need. Meet the winners and runners-up.
Register now for our upcoming Women's Month 2026 webinar which explores how volunteer exchange strengthens animal health systems, supports women’s leadership, and creates mutual learning between volunteers and communities.
In this edition of #VETSVolunteerVoices, we shift perspective — from volunteer reflections to the voice of a local leader shaping change on the ground. Dr. Victoria Norgbey has dedicated over four decades to strengthening Ghana’s poultry sector and empowering women through WIPVaC-Apex Ghana, a key VETS partner.
