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 News from Around Banderas Bay | February 2006 
Volunteer Vet Clinic in Punta Mita
 Sue Fornoff - PVNN
| | Welcome to our clinic! | 
| | Randi Roberts and Dr Herb Loeman | 
| | Patients and volunteers | 
| | Drs Szentimrey, Hare and Loeman | 
| | Yolanda Medina brings food |
When most people think of a trip to Punta Mita, they dream of sun, sand, and cerveza. That was the plan for 5 visiting Canadians - after they did a totally different type of vacation activity. Veterinarians Alex Hare, Dave Szentimrey, Karen Hill, Herb Loeman and vet tech Erin Hennessey spent the first four days of their vacation conducting a spay and neuter clinic in the small town of Emiliano Zapata.
The clinic was organized by Molly Fisher, a Punta Mita business woman and animal lover. There was no charge for the services, although donations were accepted. Over the four days of the clinic, 120 pets were seen by the veterinarians. Most came in for spaying or neutering, but additional surgeries were performed such as removing a tumorous eye from one dog. Vaccinations, deworming and treatment for poisoning also were done.
The living room of an unoccupied house in town served as the operating room. Bedrooms were used as recovery rooms and additional treatment areas. Intake was done on the front porch. "This is very different from our clinics at home," said Dr. Karen Hill with a laugh. "Here we have kids, dogs and volunteers in and out of the operating room."
Many local residents volunteered to help. About 50 children ages 6 and up helped with bathing the pets, tending to the dogs and cats and cleanup. Randi Roberts, age 13, even assisted the veterinarians in the surgery area. Agro Gourmet of Punta Mita brought food for the workers, as did some of the patients' owners.
"There is no veterinarian in this town," explained Molly Fisher. "Many of the dogs just adopted the families. Without a vet nearby and with limited budgets, proper medical care for the pet is often hard to come by. People appreciate the clinic being here and offer help and food."
Dr. Hill explained how they got involved. "We are just a group of friends, no organized affiliation or anything like that. Molly approached us about doing a clinic here and we said yes. Dave (Szentimrey) and I have had clinics in Puerto Vallarta in the past and that's where we met Molly."
Dr. Hare is from Nelson, BC and the others are from Calgary. They brought all the supplies and medications with them to Mexico. Any leftover supplies will be used in upcoming spay/neuter clinics in Bucerias and Sayulita. A clinic is set to be held in Bucerias in early March. A group of veterinarians from the Humane Society of the US will be conducting a teaching clinic for local vets, followed by a clinic open to the public.
Another clinic will be held in Sayulita March 15 - 18th. Fisher said that she is looking for people willing to host a visiting veterinarian in their home for those clinic dates. Volunteers are also needed to help at the clinics. Donations of towels, cleaning supplies and food (both pet and human) are also needed. You can contact her at mollyinmexico@yahoo.com or call her at 322-138-5064.
And in case you are wondering, the visiting Canadian veterinarians had plenty of time after the clinic to relax in the sun! |
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