After the first day, we brainstormed on how to improve the efficiency of our clinic.  We tried to move around the staff to optimize their skill set but there were still a lot of challenges:  aggressive dogs that needed special care, owners that wanted something seen right away, the temperamental pressure cooker aka autoclave.  Our system worked well enough that we were able to accomplish about 60 + surgeries daily with other random surgical/medical tasks to do as well.  Mavia was helpful to assist in premedicating, providing water and shade for those waiting for surgery, recovery and TLC for t [View Full Entry]

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The next day our friend Misty came to pick us up as planned at 8:00am in her trusty old red pickup. We clambered in and headed for Animalandia picking up Nancy and Alex at the Desert Inn at the way. Animalandia is a clinic that was started by one of the locals Lucy, who has a tremendous heart and generous spirit. She had worked with an American veterinarian to start helping with spays and neuters of local animals and after funding from numerous donors and donation of the land by the town of Loreto, a clinic was built several years ago. [View Full Entry]

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Arrival in Loreto:  I headed out for Loreto early Sunday morning.  The only traveler from Spokane, I picked up two in Seattle, Mavia, a high school student who I've found has a fantastic attitude and teamworking approach, and Dr. Dana Bridges, an equine vet in Monroe Washington.  Arriving in LA, we picked up two more, Shelley a masters student in Atlanta, who plans to apply to vet school, and Tonia,  a licensed technician from San Francisco.  The flights all went very smoothly and we arrived in Loreto at 4:30.  Always a little worrisome to get the bags through customs, with the [View Full Entry]

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My name is Suzanne Coulson.  I am leading the World Vets trip to Baja Mexico.  We are heading to Loreto which is a ways down the peninsula.  The local population have founded a clinic called Animalandia www.animalandia.com where they try to limit the animal population by performing spays and neuters of the local dogs and cats whether they are strays or pets.  As our mission is also to endeavor to decrease the overpopulation of these animal, we have formed a great team.  We had one trip earlier in June 2008, see above blog entries, and brought 4 docs, several technicians and [View Full Entry]

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Today we have a dive/snorkel trip in the morning and swimming with dolphins in the afternoon. It is great to have a day to spend with eachother after so many days of hard work. We decide to eat at Tranquil Seas again for dinner. Tomorrow we all leave early in the morning to go back to our "regular lives". We are so grateful to Sandra and Al Segarich for all their hard work to make this project possible. Sandra worked for months coordinating a location for the clinic, advertising the event, organizing volunteers, food for our lunches, our fun day activities [View Full Entry]

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I can't believe this is the final day of our clinic. I wake up enthusiastic, but about the time we reach the clinic this little nagging pain that I have been experiencing off and on in my ear begins to hurt really bad. I hear that Justine and Harriet are both not feeling well. Sandra suggests that we go to the local medical clinic. We are all diagnosed with various complications due to upper respritatory infections. We all get medication and on our way back to the clinic come to the conclusion that we are "paying for" the scuba diving we [View Full Entry]

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Up at 7:00am. We all prepare and eat a quick breakfast and pack up our stuff for another day at the clinic. Al comes by to pick up a few of us and the rest pile into a van Dr Mike has rented. We head up the winding road towards the clinic. It is about a 10 minute drive. Again, local folks are camped out on the steps and sitting under the tent waiting for us. We are already all sweaty, none of us used to the tropical heat. Like yesterday, we must unlock everything and set up for another days [View Full Entry]

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It is a lovely, sunny, island day when we arrive at the clinic. There are already several locals sitting on the steps outside the church where the clinic will be held. They are waiting with their dogs on there laps. Sandra has warned us that petty thievery is common on the island, so every evening we have to bring all our supplies in from the breezeway area and lock them up in the room designated for surgery. So this morning we are all busy getting the check-in station, pre-op, prep and recovery areas put back together. Rachel and Heather, both a [View Full Entry]

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We usually start our spay and neuter clinic after one day of rest and relaxation, however since it was the biggest holiday in Honduras today, our local volunteer team suggested we start on Tuesday. So we took advantage of the time by exploring our lovely surroundings. The locals are usually very appreciative of our services and it is not uncommon for businesses and restaurants to donate meals and activities to us either for a discount or sometimes even at no charge. Roatan is no different, thanks to the efforts of Sandra and her team of fabulous volunteers. We start off the [View Full Entry]

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We wake up and can’t wait to get into the ocean. Mike and Dr Cathy head out to the dock with their snorkel gear. They are taking the kayaks out to the reef just to the left of the villa. Sandra and Al (that’s Sandra’s husband) live just up the beach a few houses. Dr Wally, Gina and I walk to their private dock where Al meets us with some scuba gear. Wally and Al scuba the “Spooky Channel” while Gina and I snorkel along the reef. We come home and soon it is time to pick up our remaining 4 [View Full Entry]

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