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

Jul 15

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

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, 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. 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

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

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

Jul 11

MAJURO, 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)

A Successful Pilot Project in Suriname, South America

Jul 11

World Vets recently operated a pilot project* in Paramaribo, Suriname. We sent a volunteer veterinary team that provided a very successful large scale sterilization campaign which resulted in 250 surgeries being performed. Our team worked with Henk Abrahams Foundation, a local animal welfare organization. We thank Fondation Brigitte Bardot for their support of this visit as well as all the volunteers for their efforts. See pictures of our Suriname campaign here

*A pilot project is a new project location where a World Vets team has not previously worked

World Vets aids Pacific Partnership response to Hit & Run

Jul 02

MALAPO, 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 Brings Veterinary Care to Remote Region in Guatemala

Jun 18

A World Vets team has just returned after a great adventure to the Atlantic Coast of Guatemala. Following 7 hours of travel, in a van and boat ride from the capital, they arrived in the Livingston/Rio Dulce region. During their visit they provided free veterinary services, a luxury for local cats and dogs, as local services for animals are hard to come by in such an isolated area. Many communities are only accessible by boat making veterinary care a great challenge.

Our team provided a large scale sterilization campaign where 164 surgeries were performed as well as an additional 200 plus health consultations and treatments provided to local animals. We also saw patients at the dock of our accommodations during the evening along the river. In these activities, we were joined by local volunteers and veterinary students from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.

We would like to extend our many thanks and gratitude to our team members and local coordinator, Aska, of El Hotelito Perdido. We would also like to thank CATUR, the local Centro de Salud and municipality of Livingston for all their support in helping make this campaign possible. And finally we would like to thank local businesses and the community of Livingston for their warm welcome and hospitality.

See pictures of World Vets visit to Rio Dulce, Guatemala – coming soon!

1 Vet Spot Left for Otavalo, Ecuador Project! July 2013

Jun 13

There is just 1 VETERINARIAN spot left open for our July 2013 Otavalo, Ecuador Project. Join us on a trip to the Ecuadorian Andes July 17 – 24, 2013 and provide a three day large scale sterilization campaign in the town of Otavalo!

World Vets has been providing regular high volume spay/neuter services in Ecuador since 2009. We have also secured an agreement with the municipality of Otavalo stipulating that they will not carry out poisoning campaigns in exchange for our free spay/neuter services for community animals.

Aside from veterinary work, volunteers will have free time to explore the area, visit Otavalo’s famous markets and much more! What are you waiting for? Check out this volunteer opportunity here

See pictures of World Vets in Ecuador here

This project is supported by Fondation Brigitte Bardot of Paris, France

World Vets Provides Education & Veterinary Services in Samoa

Jun 11

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

World Vets Helps Animals Impacted by Tornado in Oklahoma, USA

May 30

In 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 supplies 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

May 29

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.

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

May 29

Volunteer 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 providing 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)