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Veterinary Practice News Editorial Blog:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
"Voluntourists" Help New Orleans Shelters
By Marissa Heflin
Senior News Editor of VeterinaryPracticeNews.com and Veterinary Practice News
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| Volunteers paint the walls at the Plaquemines Parish Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). |
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s first “Our Oath In Action” event combined tourism and volunteerism July 17-18 in New Orleans during the annual conference of the American Veterinary Medical Assn.
When I heard that the group was going to help rehabilitate animal shelters damaged during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I quickly climbed on board.
There was a personal sentiment attached to the idea.
I was working as a veterinary nurse in Los Angeles when Katrina struck. It had a profound effect on all of our local veterinarians and other veterinary staff.
Some traveled to New Orleans and worked with the animals while others of us volunteered at a nearby humane society examining, cleaning and microchipping dogs and cats that had been flown in from overcrowded shelters in New Orleans.
This "voluntourism" program was a way for me to come full circle.
More than 50 veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary students and other conference attendees signed up to volunteer in New Orleans on the first day. I was assigned to the Plaquemines Parish Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). The three other shelters were in Jefferson, St. Charles and St. John parishes.
We spent the day cleaning kennels, replacing ceiling panels, mending fixtures and painting walls, among other much needed tasks. The volunteers had happy and positive attitudes, despite the sweltering heat.
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| More than 50 veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary students signed up to volunteer at shelters that had been affected by Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Calson (pictured holding paint) coordinated the voluntourism work at PAWS. | By the end of the day, bodies ached, clothes were dirty and some had green paint in their hair (yes, me included).
Everyone was exhausted, but the sense of accomplishment among us was overwhelming.
Mark Carlson, DVM, of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, who coordinated the effort at PAWS, said he was happy that so many people came out to make a difference. The shelter was also very grateful.
I think there are a lot of veterinarians and veterinary staff who want to volunteer, but don’t know where to start or who to contact. AVMF’s voluntourism may break that barrier, giving interested parties a starting point.
The foundation plans to continue the program at next year’s convention in Seattle. Are you up to putting your oath in action?
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