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PHUKET, Thailand - Sailors from USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), along with embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participated in a community service project at the Phuket Soi Dog Foundation, May 15.

The Sailors and Marines painted a wall at the animal shelter and placed concrete dividers for a future animal run.

"I always try to go to community service events," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Dale Joyce, a New Orleans crew member. "When I heard it was for an animal shelter, I made it a point to be here."

The Soi Dog Foundation helps the homeless, neglected and abused dogs and cats of Thailand. The organization works to humanely reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats through spaying and neutering, as well as works to better the lives and living conditions of the stray dogs and feral cats of Asia.

"The work this organization is doing in this region is incredible," said Lt. Daniel Spies, a Navy chaplain assigned to the 11th MEU embarked aboard New Orleans. "I'm glad our Sailors and Marines got a chance to come out here and help out, even in a small way."

The volunteers were treated to a Thai buffet by the Soi volunteers after a morning of work in the hot Phuket sun.

New Orleans and Pearl Harbor, along with the embarked 11th MEU are part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.