Certified Vet. Technician and Handler.

[mandylis]

Hi everyone,

I'm unsure if this is the right forum to post what I seek and the predicament I'm in.

Please do extend me tolerance and kindness no matter if you found it hard too. I have been called stupid, dumb and pretty much all the negativity a person can take.

I have shed enough tears and cried my eyes out but all I need is a push in the right directions. I am in a very bad situation right now.

I am a qualified Veterinary Technician, with 2 years experience in Nevada, Texas. During which time I am also an active volunteer at a rescue facility.

Everything was plain sailing and I am living my passion. However, it was all shattered in pieces now, I'm all to blamed for my eagerness and naïveté that causes this downward spiral.

It started in November the 12 last year. I responded to an advert online for a position of K9 handler and technician for an American trainer in Hang Dong, Vietnam.

I responded and submitted an application. I saw it as an opportunity to be able to travel and see the world for the first time, and earn my keeps living my passion.

I was interviewed online and accepted. I am a simple southern girl, loves all animals and especially, dogs. It would be my first time out of my state and to be accepted for the job makes me feel like walking on cloud nine.

I duly gave notice to my then employer and made preparations to leave.

As agreed, the airfare were supposed to be provided but there were always hiccups and problems as claimed by my future employer something like restriction on money sent out of the Vietnam etc.

As the date drew near, I became anxious and stupidly informed the employer in Vietnam that I will forked out using the little savings that I have. I was promised to be repaid upon arrival.

It was strongly opposed by my parents and friends. But against their better judgement I do not heed their pleas and arguments.

I arrived in Hanoi on the 11th of January, and was received by Edward my employer. I blew a sigh of relief as it was not what my folks at home had said how it would be.

I was driven to his home in Hang Dong and given a private room, lodgings are provided in the position offered.

It is a 3 storeys house with a small lawn up front. Edward lives with his wife little sister Hoan, claiming that his wife is in the village taking care of ailing parents. I have no reason to doubt far less question him.

There were 4 Bernese Mountain dogs and 2 German Shepherds at the house. Edward claimed they were training the dogs for clients and thus, I am appointed his assistant.

I performed my duties as expected and to the best of my abilities. But when the day comes for me to be paid and the airfare reimbursed he claims there's some problems with his bank account and such.

Though I have some savings, it's a negligible amount of 1977 dollars, and I have been very careful with it.

I am also due to have my visa extended before the 10th of February. Came the day before and still not getting paid, I withdrew 240 dollars and paid an agency to have my exit and reentry done at the Vietnam-China border. It was a 10 hour journey. But all went well and I have an extension of another 30 days.

In the signed agreement I was assured a permit to work sponsored by him. He claimed it's in the process and I asked no more.

Then what unfolded before my eyes makes me uncomfortable. Edward is inappropriately intimate with Hoan, and he had began to talked to me with obvious sexual connotations. I ignored and never reciprocate.

The 4 Bernese dogs I handled and trained, had one morning loaded onto his truck which Edwards said were to be returned to the owner. It was strange as they had not completed the training programme he tasked me with. However, he's jubilant and said he's getting paid and I will e getting paid as well.

It was not to be, and again I was given excuses as it already due for my next visa extension I had to dug into my savings yet again which had then a balance of 1500.

I had to withdrew it on 2 more occasions after the first withdrawal for my visa extension to buy toiletries and food for myself.

On the 7th of March, I went to the same agency accompanied by Edward and was told this time around a letter of invitation must be extended to me before I can be allowed for another extension and it must be issued by a registered company.

Edward said he can't do it as his company had already applied for me a permit and while awaiting approval are not allowed to extend an invitation. I was speechless and don't know what I should do.

All this time, I had been lying to my folks back home that I am doing great for not wanting to worry them. I was in fact, ashamed to tell them the truth.

The agency offered me the service of issuing the invitation letter but wanted 500 dollars on top of the 240 for the visa trip to the same border.

I could have refused and with the money I had left, bought a ticket and flew back home. But I did not, hoping still of things working out. I was wrong!

To cut an already lengthy story, Edward disappeared and left me and Hoan, at the house hounded by people looking for him and threatened us with physical harm. It also came to my knowledge that the Bernese dogs which belonging to his client were sold to someone else.

Eventually, police and people he owed came and both Hoan and me were taken away for questioning by the police. We were let off based in our testimony. I did request for my embassy's assistance but told that I have to do it on my own.

With what I had left, the kindness of backpackers I met, and guidance from strangers I had somehow managed till now and arrived here in Thailand.

I have exhausted all but 25 dollars and a few hundred baht in my pocket. And the cheapest smartphone I bought here trading my old iPhone with some cash to spare.

I plead for directions from anyone to help me help myself. I need shelter most importantly as even sleeping in cheap hostels aren't a luxury I can afford. I do not want cash just directions to go and pray I will overcome this nightmare I'm going through.

I have the above qualifications and had made an investment of 69 baht for internet on my phone and told by a kind couple I met of this forum and had been reading the visa and laws regarding work here but it seems a dead end.

I am a strong spirited girl and will not fail without trying, with 4 days of internet connection left and 25 dollars please show me the way, please.

If shelter is provided I will clean and scrub and repay it by contributing back in earnest. I know work is illegal as I'm on a tourist visa now.

I just need directions as to how with the qualifications I have and the honesty in me, find a start and work my way to recover my dignity and hold my head up again.

If shelter is given consider it a paid one, as I will pay for it the very instant I have the means.

If you have dogs I will trained them and care for them. Please I do not want money or pity but directions and guidance.

I will furnished my qualifications should you request for it. It's all valid and here for you to scrutinized. All my documents are proper and legal.

Please, be the light in my darkest hour.

With hope and a prayer,

Amanda

[WhoWhenWhyWhat]

Amanda or Mandylis...

You left the most vital information out! Where exactly are you now?

It might help as there will be someone here on TV that's nearby.

Be safe.

[arcturus]

Can't your family transfer money or buy you a flight ticket home?

[isanbirder]

Without knowing where you are, it's difficult to suggest anything specific. But I think your best bet is to offer your services for bed and board on a temporary basis to one of the dog shelter organisations while you get yourself sorted out.

In Chiangmai, that would be CareforDogs. In Phuket, SoiDogs. In Bangkok, I don't know, but surely someone on this thread will tell you. Both these organisations have their own websites which not only give you contact numbers, but also tell you something about themselves. These organisations would also know the situation in their area, and might be able to point you at possible solutions for your problems.

Good luck.

[mandylis]

Hi everyone, bless all of you for reading my plea. Thank you so much I am forever will be indebted.

[mandylis]

I am in Nongkhai since the day I arrived from Lao. I stayed at the River Inn until I couldn't afford to anymore. I hardly slept last night and wait till morning at the train station.

[WhoWhenWhyWhat]

You are in Nongkhai! Are you at the train station? You can answer me in PM.

[WhoWhenWhyWhat]

Include your telephone number, I will get someone to help you. I think you can't leave it here. Forum rules or something.

[WhoWhenWhyWhat]

Hey Mandy, stay put if you are at the train station. A friend Alan and his wife Noi is going there.

He's an Englishmen and his wife's Thai good people. I had only told him of what you posted above briefly.

And my in-laws are also driving there Alan knows them.

You can put up at our place.