pacific partnership

Textbook Donation Benefits Veterinary Students in the Philippines

Last year World Vets received a request from a veterinary student in the Philippines named Jorim. It was a request he thought would never result into anything, but decided to write to us anyway. Jorim reached out with a simple request, veterinary textbooks for his school so that he and his fellow students could expand their knowledge for the benefit of animals in their community.

In many countries across the world, textbooks are very hard to come by, and so World Vets initiated a veterinary textbook drive to help fill this gap. To date, textbooks we’ve collected have contributed to the education of veterinary professional’s in Nicaragua, the Sudan, Marshall Islands, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. Those who contributed to our textbook drive will be happy to hear that we can now add the Philippines to this list!

With many thanks to the 2015 Pacific Partnership mission, World Vets was able to ship, on the USNS MERCY, a pallet loaded of donated veterinary textbooks for Jorim’s school, specifically to benefit the library of the Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine at Cebu Technological University.

We would like to thank everyone involved in making Jorim`s request a reality!

Pacific Partnership is an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission designed to work by, with and through host and partner nations, non-government organizations and international agencies to build partnerships and a collective ability to respond to natural disasters.  Future missions will be delivering assistance with a focus on veterinary training and teaching.

World Vets Contributes to Civil – Military Humanitarian Aid Missions

One of World Vets ongoing programs is our collaboration with the US Navy in delivering humanitarian aid. This civil – military partnership spans over six years and has World Vets contribute veterinary expertise, skill, and manpower to achieve mission objectives.

World Vets is represented on two US Navy led humanitarian aid missions: Pacific Partnership and Continuing Promise. This summer we have veterinary teams on both missions where they are traveling on board hospital ships, working alongside US Army veterinary personnel and providing services and training onshore in host nations. Read about our vet teams’ experience on the 2015 Pacific Pacific mission here

This partnership has allowed us to expand our reach and help many animals in remote locations. It has also afforded us the opportunity to work with, train, as well as support, veterinary professionals and institutions operating in the countries visited. Watch a video of the work and importance our veterinary teams play here

As part of these annual missions, World Vets veterinary teams benefit countless communities within Latin America and the Caribbean, in addition to the South Pacific, and South East Asia.

See pictures from past missions

World Vets Teams to Deploy on Civil-Military Missions

For the past six years World Vets has been the veterinary non-governmental organization (NGO) represented on two U.S. Navy led humanitarian aid missions: Pacific Partnership and Continuing Promise. These missions provide medical, dental and veterinary coverage to host nations in South East Asia and the Pacific as well as the Caribbean and Central and South America, respectively.

World Vets helps accomplish mission objectives by contributing veterinary manpower and skills through its veterinary personnel deployed. This year we will have teams on board both Pacific Partnership and Continuing Promise. They will live on-board a hospital ship and provide veterinary services onshore in host nations. As part of these efforts, our volunteers not only provide direct veterinary care, but capacity building and training, which benefit local animal health care professionals, in addition to communities.

What’s more, World Vets is also sending donation pallets on board both ships! One is bound for the Philippines carrying veterinary textbooks to benefit a veterinary school in Cebu, and the other to Nicaragua.

See pictures from past missions

Textbook Drive Benefits Veterinarians and Students in Developing Countries

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Donated books in Granada, Nicaragua

Thanks to your support, the World Vets textbook drive was a success! A variety of veterinary textbooks have been collected and distributed benefiting both veterinarians and veterinary students in multiple countries around the globe.

The World Vets Latin America Veterinary Training Center, located in Granada, Nicaragua, now has a free access bookshelf available to Latin American vets and students visiting our training center for free surgical instruction. This provides a variety of materials to those who would otherwise have no access to these types of resources.  Most of the veterinary students in Nicaragua do not have access to any textbooks, so this is a great resource.

 

Collected textbooks were also distributed to communities in the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Kiribati during the 2013 Pacific Partnership Mission.

Sudan University of Bahri with donated textbooks

Left to Right – Prof. Adil Suliman, Prof. Abal Wahab, Dr.Rasha Nouman and Dr.Abbas.

Most recently, World Vets was able to help provide veterinary textbooks to Bahri University in Sudan. A special thanks to Dr. Rasha Nouman for hand delivering the textbooks. It was reported that these books have been a great addition to the university’s small library.

Books that were distributed through the textbook drive not only cover a wide range of veterinary subjects, but they also contain up to date and reliable veterinary information and training methods.  Access to these textbooks allow readers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of safe and effective veterinary practices, encouraging a healthier and more sustainable community for their future.

Donated-Textbooks-300x199None of this would be possible without the help of World Vets donors. We can not thank you enough for your support!  World Vets is still collecting monetary donations to help cover the shipping costs for us to send additional veterinary textbooks to those in need. If you would like to help, please click HERE.

World Vets Summer at Sea: Pacific Partnership 2013

590958_origFrom May until mid August, World Vets had ten volunteer veterinary professionals deployed on the civil- military mission “Pacific Partnership.” They traveled on board a US Navy ship and provided free veterinary and educational services alongside US Army veterinary personnel. Together we provided services in five South Pacific nations which include Samoa, Tonga, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. As part of the veterinary program, over 6000 animal patients were treated, close to 1000 surgical procedures performed as well as 3644009_orig3000 teaching hours provided to host nation participants.Pacific Partnership is an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission designed to work by, with and through host and partner nations, non-government organizations and international agencies to build partnerships and a collective ability to respond to natural disasters. World Vets has been the veterinary NGO represented on this mission since 2009. See pictures

World Vets in the Marshall Islands as part of Pacific Partnership 2013

U.S. Army Spc. Martin Gonzalez and World Vets volunteer Dr. Amanda Hedman give two puppies a physical exam at a Pacific Partnership 2013 veterinary civic action project.

U.S. Army Spc. Martin Gonzalez and World Vets volunteer Amanda Hedman, LVT/RVT, give two puppies a physical exam.

Dr. Kristin Camp, a World Vets volunteer veterinarian, gives a cat named “Coffee” a pre-operation physical exam before being neutered at the free spay and neuter clinic held at the College of the Marshall Islands during Pacific Partnership 2013.

Dr. Kristin Camp, a World Vets volunteer veterinarian, gives a cat named “Coffee” a pre-operation physical exam before being neutered at the free spay and neuter clinic held at the College of the Marshall Islands.

As part of Pacific Partnership 2013, a World Vets veterinary team provided a variety of services in the Marshall Islands alongside US Army personnel as well as host nation partners. Together we operated a free spay/neuter campaign, provided health consultations for small animals in addition to educational lectures on various veterinary topics such as basic animal first aid.

Pacific Partnership is a multinational mission of host nations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regional partners that include Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States that join together to improve maritime security, conduct humanitarian assistance and strengthen disaster response preparedness throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

World Vets volunteers travel on board a US Navy ship as part of this mission. World Vets team has currently traveled to Samoa, Tonga, Marshall Islands and Kiribati. See photos here from World Vets activities on this mission so far.

Photos and captions: Amanda Saavedra

World Vets Working in Tonga; Farm Calls, Education & Spay/Neuter Services

As part of the 2013 Pacific Partnership mission, a World Vets veterinary team provided a variety of services in Tonga alongside US Army personnel as well as host nation partners. Below we provide a photo essay to highlight the work accomplished as part of the veterinary program provided during our recent visit to Tonga.

US Army Captain, Cherise Neu, and World Vets volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Camp, answer questions about proper care for both dairy cows and beef cows from local farmers, para-vets, and veterinarians

US Army Captain, Cherise Neu, and World Vets volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Camp, answer questions about proper care for both dairy cows and beef cows from local farmers, para-vets, and veterinarians

U.S. Army Captain, Cherise Neu, lectures local farmers, para-vets, and veterinarians about cow body scoring and proper nutrion and diet based on how the cow will ultimately be used

U.S. Army Captain, Cherise Neu, lectures local farmers, para-vets, and veterinarians about cow body scoring and proper nutrion and diet based on how the cow will ultimately be used

World Vets volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Camp, gives a calf a physical exam to ensure that the calf is healthy

World Vets volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Camp, gives a calf a physical exam to ensure that the calf is healthy

World Vets volunteer, Dr. Kristin Camp, talks to the local veterinarian, para-vets, and farmers about the importance of testing for Mastitis in cows, which will help ensure that the milk they are producing is healthy for both human and calves to consume

World Vets volunteer, Dr. Kristin Camp, talks to the local veterinarian, para-vets, and farmers about the importance of testing for Mastitis in cows, which will help ensure that the milk they are producing is healthy for both human and calves to consume

Dr. Kristin Camp, volunteer veterinarian for World Vets, shows locals how to easily test for mastitis in cow’s milk.

Dr. Kristin Camp, volunteer veterinarian for World Vets, shows locals how to easily test for mastitis in cow’s milk.

Dr. Abbey O’Connor, a World Vets volunteer veterinarian, and Lt. Hannah Castillo, prepare a young dog for desexing as part of the free clinic that was held for locals

Dr. Abbey O’Connor, a World Vets volunteer veterinarian, and Lt. Hannah Castillo, prepare a young dog for desexing as part of the free clinic that was held for locals

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World Vets volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Abi Collinson, and U.S. Army Veterinarian Technician , Sargent Lynn Marsh, clean Brown Senior’s ear after having been in a dog fight

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Dr. Abbey O’Connor, a World Vets volunteer veterinarian, and Lt. Hannah Castillo, prepare a young dog for desexing as part of the free clinic that was held for locals

Pacific Partnership is a multinational mission of host nations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regional partners that include Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States that join together to improve maritime security, conduct humanitarian assistance and strengthen disaster response preparedness throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

World Vets volunteers travel on board a US Navy ship as part of this mission.

All photos and captions: Amanda Saavedra

World Vets Volunteer Makes Local News in the Marshall Islands

PP13 MI newsMAJURO, Marshall Islands (July 4, 2013) Tori Hall, a volunteer with the non-governmental organization World Vets, lets a Marshallese child listen to the heartbeat of a dog during a Pacific Partnership 2013 health fair.

Pacific Partnership is a mission that brings host nation governments, U.S. military, partner nation militaries and non-governmental organization volunteers together to conduct disaster-preparedness projects and build relationships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to better respond during a crisis.World Vets has provided veterinary personnel for this mission since 2009.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laurie Dexter/Released)

World Vets aids Pacific Partnership response to Hit & Run

Hit n RunMALAPO, Tonga — Three Pacific Partnership members acted as first responders to a hit and run automobile accident on a local pedestrian during the Tongan portion of the 2013 mission.

U.S. Army Capt. James Dillon, U.S. Army Sgt. Evan Lund and Dr, Abi O’Connor, a volunteer veterinarian from nongovernmental organization (NGO) World Vets, were en route to the South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) clinic to pick up supplies when they saw a man walking down the street get hit by a passing truck.

“The truck was driving about 50 km/hr when he hit him,” said Dr. Abi O’Connor. “The driver of the truck paused, and then drove away after the man landed on the street side.”

Read full story here

Story and photo by World Vets photojournalist Ms. Amanda Saavedra

World Vets Provides Education & Veterinary Services in Samoa

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Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

Photo Credit: Amanda Saavedra/World Vets

World Vets volunteers were hard at work this past week on the Samoan islands of Upolu and Sevai’i doing everything from spay and neuter clinics, educational lectures, and even having some fun with kids at two Special Olympic health fairs. While they were there, they witnessed a culture very different from their own, where community and sharing are very much the way of life. Along with the U.S. service members and other partner nations participating in the Pacific Partnership 2013 mission (PP 2013), they integrated into the different villages of Samoa working to better their communities and the health of both the people and the animals in them.

Spay and neuter clinics were held on both Upolu and Sevai’i, where World Vet volunteers and U.S. Army veterinarians and vet techs set up free clinics at local churches and various other sites. Countless families came with their furry friends to get them spayed and neutered to better their communities. In Samoa, dogs have begun to create a problem due to overpopulation, lack of regulation and proper confinement. Many homes in Samoa are called “fallahs,” which is a home without walls. The homes are a part of communities where everything is shared among them. Naturally, these communities have no fences and many dogs run freely, contributing to the dog over population problem. Spay and neuter clinics provided by Pacific Partnership gave these communities the opportunity to bring their dogs and cats in and prevent their own pets from contributing to the problem.

An overpopulation of dogs also means dog bites are a common occurrence. World Vet volunteers and U.S. Army veterinarians visited several schools educating young children about dog bites, how to prevent them, and what to do in case they get one. The children in these schools were so eager to learn and quickly caught on to the signs of what a mean, scared, or unthreatening dog looks like. US Army vets also spoke about the importance of washing ones hands after petting animals and even gave the kids a great way to remember how long hands should be washed for by singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with them. With these tools given to the children Vets are hope that not only will the information be passed on to their families at home, but that dog bites will be prevented in the future.

World Vet volunteers and U.S. Army Veterinarians also held educational lectures for the members of the Animal Protection Society in Upolu and those who work in the meat industry. Lectures covered everything from body scoring of horses, learning about new drugs available for neutering dogs, proper physical examinations of both large and small animals and properly preparing animals for slaughtering and the process that follows. These lectures brought the local veterinarians and “para-vets” up to date on the latest information and also ways to complete procedures and examinations with what the local community has, making the procedures and examinations available to them in the future.

On both Sevai’i and Upolu, World Vet volunteers and U.S. Army vets joined other U.S. service members Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and other partner nation service members of PP 2013 for Special Olympic eligibility health fairs. While children were checked-out by various members of the PP 2013 medical team they were given the opportunity to learn about preventing dog bites and color in books featuring their unique furry friends. With more than 100 kids in attendance, many children got to meet with veterinarians for some fun and learning. Some vets even got to throw around a rugby ball with the kids participating in the events.

Samoa is just the beginning of the Pacific Partnership 2013 mission and World Vets has already accomplished so much. After departing Samoa, World Vets, other NGO’s, partner nations, and U.S. service members will be heading towards Tonga, where more exciting and community based projects are waiting.

*This article was written by Amanda Saavedra, World Vets photojournalist on board the 2013 Pacific Partnership mission

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