Surgeries and More

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 the cute puppies.  She was also getting information to do her senior project for high school.  Tonia was a great technician:  placing catheters with ease, assisting anesthesia on sensitive patients, and paying attention to details to minimize morbidity.  Shari and Michelle were the bread and butter of our induction team, always willing to grab another animal and get it ready for surgery.  Sarah was our veteran cat wrestler, nothing fazed that gal.  Shelley was the able and willing student, refreshing her techniques and observing the docs in surgery.  She plans to apply to vet school this fall.  Nancy was the tireless trooper that kept up with the endless tide of surgical packs, in the shadow of the ever imminent eruption of the pressure cooker.  Her daugher Alex must have acquired this same trait, she was always up for anything to assist in the day's duties, all the while keeping up with her own applications to law school.  We are prevailing upon her to become an advocate for animal welfare throughout her law career.  The project went so well in fact that it made it a very easy task for me.   I tried to do a little of everything, trying to facilitate the smooth running of the project and making sure that everyone was getting as much as they could out of their experience.  It was a very satisfying feeling when we sat down the last night at Augies, a local bar and restaurant, after completing about 300 surgeries, to know that there were smiles all around, a new sense of shared comaraderie, and talk of plans for future ventures here or elsewhere.

I wish to thank Lucy and Misty on behalf of World Vets. Their devotion to the work at animalandia was inspiring. Linda Nichols did a fabulous job preparing and coordinating the lunches and dinners at private homes. The hospitality of those who invited us into their homes after a long day of work can be overstated. And the wonderful fiesta provided for us at a local restaurant, including live music by the owner, a great guitarist was a great treat at the end of the week.

Thanks again to all and to the great group I had - You all worked so well together, it was a super team effort.

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