World Vets Helps Animals Impacted by Tornado in Oklahoma, USA

942279_10151369423591571_720522014_nIn response to the tornado that hit Oklahoma this month, World Vets teamed up with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and BlogPaws to help animals impacted by the disaster.

World Vets set up a tornado relief fundraiser that provided direct support to three organizations operating in the area. The recipient organizations were the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Relief Fund and the Pampered Pets Veterinary Clinic Disaster Relief. We also sent a  truckload of veterinary and pet 941767_10151373418956571_1194790480_nsupplies that were delivered as part of a shipment organized by local Fargo, North Dakota TV station Valley News Live. These donated supplies were set up next to the “Reunion Facility” for owners that had been recently reunited with their pets to “shop” for food, crates, toys and more.

A huge thank you is in order to all of those who have supported us and our partners; BlogPaws, American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and Pet360, and everyone who contributed to our tornado relief fundraiser – it made a huge difference in the lives of both pets and pet owners affected by the disaster.

Love at First Sight: The Story of Puma

JoePumabefore

Dr. Joe Zulty in recovery with Puma after his leg amputation. World Vets Cusco, Peru project 2012.

It begins in the stone streets of Cusco, an ancient city of 600 thousand people, constructed by the Incas in the magnificent Andes mountains at 3,400 meters above sea level.  There are many dogs in the streets, in doorways, everywhere.  Unlike those of the U.S., these dogs are very talented.  They know how to negotiate the streets, to stop at corners, and incredible how to avoid traffic.

Well, maybe not all of them.

On day two of World Vets spay/neuter clinic, three members of the Peruvian National Police, dressed in green uniforms, appearing strict and emotionless, delivered two dogs that had been running the streets.   Both were discovered with 2 other dogs, all four belonging to a woman who loved them but unfortunately was not capable of providing for them.  The older of the

Dr. Joe Zulty with Puma following World Vets project in Maryland, USA.

Dr. Joe Zulty with Puma following World Vets project in Maryland, USA.

two was scruffy but OK, the younger one however needed our help.  He had a paw that was completely paralyzed and severely swollen. Its appearance was that of the paw of the Puma in the ancient wall of the Saqsayhuaman ruins.  And there was something else worth mentioning.  Perhaps another sign from the Incas, I am not sure.  It is that moment in time that captures your heart and gives a true relevance to why we do what we do.

One of the police officers, a woman who was especially very quiet and very reserved, spoke not with words but with the hardly noticeable tears in her eyes.  Those wet eyes touched me, made their way to my heart, and reinforced what the Incas were trying to tell me.

So the next day, on the last day of clinic, with the help of local Peruvian veterinarian, Dr. Carmen Caceres, the paw that touched but did not feel the surface of the street, was removed.  Incredibly this dog, just 2 hours after surgery, was awake, standing, and wagging his tail!   That was when one of World Vets volunteers stated, “It is not too difficult to take a dog back to the U.S.  We brought a dog back from Ecuador on a past World Vets project.”

With the  assistance of Monica  Chacon of Pataz Pro Animalista Cusco, officer Glenda Anchea Garavito, Dr. Edgar Ochoa and his colleagues at Lazzie Vet Clinic, and the spiritual support of the Incas, the process  of transporting a dog from one hemisphere to another became a reality.   The forces were too strong.  It was meant to be I suppose.  In the airport in Cusco, my son Zack and I , with our new pet Puma, said goodbye to our friends from Cusco and of course the conversation was full of tears.  But special moments like this do not come often.  I was proud to be a veterinarian.  I was proud of having worked with people who make a difference in the life of an animal.  And I am pretty sure the ancient Incas were smiling from above.

**This article was written by Dr. Joe Zulty, a World Vets field service veterinarian. This article reflects his participation on World Vets Cusco, Peru project in 2012 when Puma was assisted and then adopted. Dr. Zulty is leading a World Vets small animal project to Sosua, Dominican Republic in November 2013. Read more about this volunteer opportunity here.

 World Vets has an upcoming volunteer opportunity to Cusco, Peru operating September 28 – October 5, 2013. Volunteer positions remain open for the tech/student category. This position can be filled by licensed vet techs, non-licensed vet techs, vet students, pre-vet students and vet tech students. Read more about this volunteer opportunity here

July & August Volunteer Opportunities still available for Veterinarians

130323_1610Volunteer veterinarians are still needed for two small animal projects that are scheduled to take place this summer in Ecuador (July) and Nicaragua (August). World Vets has been working in both areas since 2009 and has well established spay/neuter and animal health projects in and around Otavalo/Ibarra, Ecuador and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

On a small animal project, veterinarians are typically involved in 130322_1278providing sterilization surgeries for cats and dogs, medical diagnosis and treatment, health consultations, and may be involved in performing other surgeries, teaching and/or instruction to students and/or local volunteers or pet owners.

Aside from three full days of veterinary work, volunteers will have free time to explore the local area and/or do some sightseeing and activities. Whether you like the beach or the mountains, either location has much to offer as a travel destination.

Read more about volunteer opportunity in Ecuador (July 17 – 24, 2013)

Read more about volunteer opportunity in Nicaragua (August 3 – 10, 2013)

World Vets Equine Welfare Clinic in Nicaragua

601726_603464746330298_1442177817_nWorld Vets recently deployed a volunteer veterinary team to Granada, Nicaragua as part of our equine welfare project in the area. Our team, along with Nicaraguan veterinarians and students, held a free equine welfare clinic in and around the city which benefited 300 horses.

This clinic targeted carriage and cart horses whose owners can`t afford veterinary services for their working equines. Services included parasite control, hoof and dental work, vaccinations, castrations, pregnancy checks, wound treatments, mass 401841_648067338552532_1668835080_nremovals and more!

This project is generously supported by Fondation Brigitte Bardot.

See pictures

 

World Vets “Wonder Women” in Grenada

Team GrenadaIn April World Vets sent an all female volunteer veterinary team to St. George’s, Grenada. There they worked in collaboration with the Grenada SPCA as well as students from St. George’s University. Together we provided a large scale spay/neuter and animal health campaign which resulted in animals from all over the island benefiting from our free services. We’d like to thank World Vets veterinary volunteers as well as  GSPCA and St. George’s University for all of their support in making our visit and campaign a reality.

See pictures

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