Carinne Ramirez, Lincoln Memorial University
During my second year in veterinary school, I had the opportunity to participate in World Vets in Nicaragua. I initially decided to go in order to prepare myself for third year surgeries; but after my first day I knew this experience would be so much more than that.
I had never been to Nicaragua or participated in World vets. After the first few days, I was shocked at all the limitations the clinic had and the lack of money locals had for their animals despite how much they depended on them for their livelihood. I learned how to monitor and administer total intravenous anesthesia because isoflurane was too expensive and too hard to keep supplied in the clinic. We used headlamps to see during surgery and made the best out of what we had.
The clinic had no central air system, and in the summer of Nicaragua doing surgery with cap and mask made surgery difficult. Many volunteer veterinarians brought checked bags to supply the clinic with needed supplies that could not be bought. It was a group effort to keep the clinic going; but it was much needed in the community. Locals brought their pets to be spayed and neutered for free and we as students got surgery experience; but I gained so much more than experience. I gained a perspective that would forever change how I would practice veterinary medicine.
So many people have horses that pull their carts to the market, and the money they bring in feeds their family. These animals mean everything to them yet their income is so low they often do not have the resources to properly care for their animals. They care so much for these animals that many would have their animals vaccinated before their children. I saw many horses with overgrown hooves and sores from pulling carts and most were underweight. From an outsider perspective these animals appear abused and neglected, but these animals are so loved. I couldn’t believe how thankful the locals were when we had an outreach day that offered medical care and vaccinations for their animals. It was a full day for us, and I felt so accomplished at the end of the day. We were able to provide necessary medical care for so many animals and in turn helped the welfare of not just the animals, but their owners as well. The experience was invaluable for me and gave me a new perspective I would take with me throughout the rest of my schooling and I will keep with me when I start my career next year.
Outreach and education are two very important characteristics I want to embody as a veterinarian. Education on how to properly care for animals as well as information on what producers and owners can do to better animal welfare can only be obtained through working with those educated in the field. In most cases, that person happens to be their veterinarian. As a soon to be mixed animal practitioner, I plan on holding seminars for producers to help them become better at their job and fulfilling the oath I took to promote animal health and welfare and relive animal suffering. Nicaragua allowed me to see the oath I took in real world situations and gave me a clarity on the kind of practice I would go into. I will strive to continue to go to underserved areas and use my talents and the education I have received to serve both the community and the animals through public education. Just like the veterinarians who worked hard to give me this experience, I want to volunteer my time to give students like me a new perspective and outlook on animal welfare in underserved areas.
Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 01:00PM 
;)
;)
;)
;)