US chiropractor becomes animal welfare advocate in Việt Nam

Anh Ngô

Early on a sunny morning, Dr Paul D’Alfonso – a US chiropractor – begins his day at his clinic in District 7, HCM City. For the past 12 years, he has been a cornerstone of the community, known not just for his chiropractic skills but for his dedication to rescuing ill and abandoned pets.

Dr D’Alfonso’s journey to Việt Nam began with his wife, who is American-born but half Vietnamese. The couple moved to Việt Nam in 2012, driven to live abroad, travel and reconnect with her roots. An opportunity to open a chiropractic clinic arose and they decided to take the leap.

“Việt Nam was brimming with new opportunities,” Dr D’Alfonso told Việt Nam News. “We mustered the courage to start this adventure.”

Besides treating sick residents in HCM City, Dr Paul D’Alfonso and his wife have also established a small rescue network, helping ill and abandoned pets.

“Her love for animals is strong and with her fundraising skills, she created a small team focused on animal rescue efforts in District 7 called RAD7,” he said.

Dr Paul D’Alfonso holds a special fondness for dogs and cats. — Photos courtesy of Paul D’Alfonso

A leap of faith to Việt Nam

Since arriving, Dr D’Alfonso has been educating and working, helping the local population understand the benefits of a healthy spine, better posture and overall wellbeing.

One particular experience stands out in Dr D’Alfonso’s memory. A few years ago, a man walked into his clinic, burdened with chronic pain that had shadowed him for years. “I treated him once by chance two years ago, then didn’t hear from him until recently,” he recalled.

The man returned with a story that moved him deeply. After that single adjustment, the man’s pain had completely vanished. This newfound freedom from pain allowed him to rebuild his life in ways he never imagined possible. He met someone special, got married and now they are expecting their first child.

“You never know how you’ll affect someone and all the lives connected to that person when you help them,” Dr D’Alfonso said.

Paul D’Alfonso’s daily practice is to provide chiropractic care to patients.

Dr D’Alfonso’s current passion project involves supporting an orphanage for children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and spinal injuries. “We’re working with a therapy called neuro suit therapy, which uses a specialised suit to help people with disabilities walk and achieve normal movement,” he explained.

While doctors impact patients’ lives, interestingly, the opposite happens as well – patients can change theirs.

“The Vietnamese locals have welcomed me with open arms. I’ve had the chance to meet their families, been invited to dinners in their homes and even attended their children’s weddings. These visits have allowed me to get close to the culture,” Dr D’Alfonso said.

Animal rescue, a labour of love

As animal lovers, he and his wife are devoted to saving pets. They have established and operated an animal rescue group in District 7 for seven years with core members who volunteer and help make a difference.

“It started when my wife’s friend found an injured dog in the middle of the road. The medical bills were high, so her friend reached out to her for fundraising help. That case with Cherry (this injured dog) is how RAD7 came to be,” he said.

​​Dr Paul D’Alfonso and his wife have rescued several ill and abandoned pets.

The work can be emotional as they often encounter severe medical issues or terrible circumstances.

“My wife describes it like a rollercoaster with highs and lows. All the cats and dogs that RAD7 takes on have a backstory,” Dr D’Alfonso said.

Aside from treating ill pets, the group specialises in finding adopters for abandoned animals. “Wherever we live, one of our criteria is to have an additional bedroom for fostering,” he said.

Despite having full-time jobs, some members commit to working after hours volunteering to helping the animals. RAD7 annually supports up to a hundred cats and dogs in finding new homes, either through their foster network or by providing resources and veterinary discounts to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation.

“Our primary goal is to promote adoption and fostering over purchasing pets, encapsulated in our mantra: ‘Adopt, don’t shop’. It indeed takes a village and we’re so grateful for the support of fosters, vets and the community we have.

“The most rewarding aspect of animal rescue is witnessing the transformation of these animals as they heal and find loving homes.”

With Dr D’Alfonso, it’s a testament to the incredible impact that compassion and dedicated care can have on an animal’s life, to be able to turn their stories of suffering into tales of hope and love. — VNS