Two U.S. Veterinarians Bring Relief to African Animals
posted by: Sharon Seltzer 183 days ago
If you think you have a busy summer planned, take a look at the ambitious project two American veterinarians have in mind. They are heading off to war- torn Liberia this month to help the animals in the West African country who have suffered because of a 14-year civil war. The two vets are going on behalf of a nonprofit organization called Veterinarians Without Borders to establish the Veterinarians to Liberia Project.
When they arrive in Liberia, Dr. Arlene Gardsbane DVM and Dr. Beth Miller DVM will be the only practicing veterinarians in the entire country, according to the VIN News Service.
“War wiped everything out,” said Dr. Gardsbane.
Dr. Gardsbane is an expert in small animal medicine and surgery while Dr. Miller’s specialty is livestock production in developing countries. Together the focus of their visit will be to “assess the country’s needs and develop a plan to promote the health of the people, their pets, livestock and wildlife.” It’s a tall order to fill in a short three week trip.
They’ll be bringing their knowledge and some basic tools with them, including rabies vaccines and de-worming medicine. They also plan to impart as much education as they can about small animals and livestock through a series of seminars to public health care workers and villagers.
For the past four years Liberia has enjoyed peace after being in a long civil war. Their government has been trying to renew economic growth, but despite their efforts the country is still one of the poorest nations in the world. They have limited power, water, sewage and phones.
The Liberian government and Veterinarians Without Borders believe that healthy animals are the key to the security, health and income for the country.
Drs. Gardsbane and Miller have a very busy schedule planned during their stay. Here is a list of their goals:
- Visit urban areas and assess the feral dog and cat populations for risk of diseases.
Visit rural areas to understand and assess the current livestock production.
Offer seminars on disease prevention and livestock health.
Assess the health of the pygmy hippo population which lives throughout the country.
Meet with government agencies and universities to coordinate future partnerships.
It’s a huge endeavor to organize in such a short period of time, but both veterinarians appear to be well qualified to make this project happen. Dr. Gardsbane plans to spend her time investigating the animal diseases that are being spread to humans and taking steps to stop it. She will begin the process of opening a small-animal clinic that can be used for spaying and neutering animals while also testing and treating them for diseases.
Dr. Miller has 10 years of experience on the staff of the Heifer Project that promotes self-sufficiency in developing countries by donating livestock to families. Her experience in teaching small villages how to care and manage cattle, sheep and goats will enable her to teach animal health workers about nutrition, parasite control and reproduction.
After their stay in Liberia, Vets Without Borders will put together a plan to benefit both the animals and the people. They also plan to organize a group of volunteers to work in the country to stop disease, vaccinate animals and oversee the welfare of the animals.
Veterinarians Without Borders was founded by Audra MacCorkle DVM in 2001 after she searched for an organization where she could do veterinary charity work. When she couldn’t find what she was looking for she established the group.
Then Drs. Roger Ellis and Thomas Graham, both bovine practitioners came into the picture. They wanted to start an international relief organization for animals and were pleased to join Vets Without Borders with Dr. MacCorkle.
The Liberian Project is the first international mission for Veterinarians Without Borders. Hopefully it will be a success and bring assistance and comfort for animals around the globe.
Read more: africa, animal welfare, animal rescue, international relief, animal education
comments
I took the poll as to whether I thought 2 vets could make a difference and said probably not BUT after reading some of the comments I have changed my mind. Good to feel
the positive reaction just 2 vets can give -
and so I say "every little bit helps".I wish
them strength cause they're going to need it.
Good Luck.
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Of course they can make a difference especial such two amazing professionals like these. Good on you both more vets should take the skills they haven't learnt and those animals in the wild
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I hope these two vet are the beginning of a movement among those of theor profession. Just like Doctors without Borders I hope they grow to be many and can address animal suffering in many places, The ideal is beautiful and these two pioneers of the organization are there working now. The enemy is the poverty in the areas they have chosen to serve which cannot pay for vet service. The enemy of my daughter's group Doctors Without Borders is poverty which stretches beyond borders and will continue to as long as the resources of the earth are so unfairly allocated to its citizens. When will we not learn that we are all children of the Mother deserving her bounty equally.
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A big thank you to these veterinarians.
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they proved that one (or all people!) can make a difference.
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No one stops to think that domesticated animals whose owners live in extreme poverty suffer because of the owners poverty in not be able to seek medical attention for their animals as well as their families and themselves. The life of whole community is being served by the generous vets giving of their time and knowledge to the animals who could have no access to care without this generosity.
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God bless all who are willing to go the extra mile for these beautiful creatures....humans are animals worst enemy.....so as humans we must BE THEIR VOICE....i pray for the day when the suffering stops!!!!!these are true heroes....thank you
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Kindness to animals is a great blessing and I hope your lives with be blessed with goodness.If there were only more like you in the world with such problems for the creatures that share this big blue marble we all live on!
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This is such a good course for these poor animals and I want to thank these 2 doctors for taking the time to help and make a difference. All of the best guys and I know you can make this happen
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It only takes one person to make a change. Way to go ladies!!
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