PHS 2008 Field Clinics Are Going Strong!

MONKEY RIVER

It’s 6:00 on an August morning and PHS volunteers Pamela Keck and Cindy Weller are wide awake and ready for their next Placencia Humane Society mission. 

Together with Jim Weller and Dr. Bennett they meet Sue Harris at Placencia Point, and head out by boat for the 2nd annual PHS field clinic in Monkey River.

Sue Harris of Stepping Stones Resort in Monkey River promoted the clinic, arranged for its location, and provided boat transportation for our group to Monkey River. 

Arriving at the Monkey River Health Center, we find villagers already onsite with their pets.  In total, Dr. Bennett treated 19 animals, mostly with vaccinations for Rabies and Parvo. Unfortunately, no one prepared to have their pets spayed or neutered, but 2 owners made arrangements to spay their females at a future clinic.  

All shots, surgeries, and care were provided at extremely reduced rates with Dr. Bennett volunteering his services and PHS subsidizing the cost of all medications. 

We heartily thank Sue Harris for helping organize this clinic, Mrs. Garbutt (the Red Bank community nurse) for allowing us to use the Monkey River Health building, and our PHS members whose donations and support make these vet clinics possible.  

SEINE BIGHT

On October 17^th & 18^th Dr. Cliff Barnett from the US again sponsored the 4^TH annual Seine Bight clinic by bringing his staff of vets and vet assistants, and providing all medications needed for the 2-day clinic.

Despite the month-long rains beforehand and the standing water that remained, Seine Bight villagers brought 138 animals for care.   In addition to general checkups for all 138 pets, treatments included 21 spays/neuters, 91 rabies vaccinations, 88 Parvo vaccinations, and several treatments for heartworm, fleas, and ticks.  Unfortunately, one animal required euthanasia and another extremely ill pet passed away.  Because the animals were either too young or still nursing a prior litter, 5 spays were postponed until the November Placencia clinic.

We sincerely thank Dr. Barnett for his tireless support of this clinic, and his staff for their time and enthusiasm.  Thank you to Pastor Don for allowing us to use the Ministries of the Son of God Church as our clinic, and to all the volunteers who work to make this clinic on ongoing success. 

MONKEY RIVER (Part 2)

Thursday, November 13^th we headed back to Monkey River where 3 villagers were ready to have their pets cut.  Additional pets that didn’t make the July clinic were vaccinated and wormed as well.

PLACENCIA

Friday, November 14^th, Dr. Bennett spent a full day conducting house calls on the Placencia Peninsula.  He started with 3 surgeries (a cat who needed a teeth cleaning and 2 dogs with hernias), and he finished his list of house calls and other treatments late in the day.

November 15th & 16th Dr. Bennett staffed our monthly PHS clinic where he treated a total of 40 animals.  He cut 12 animals:  5 spays and 7 neuters.

Volunteers for the November clinic included Mary Ann Kaye, Julie Davis, Cat Harshbarger,  Barb Bell, Nancy Lewandowski, Pat Rarrick, Pamela Keck, new volunteer Juana Itch and returning volunteer Christine Dilts.  Quincy Zuniga and Oscar Scott assisted as junior volunteers.

RED BANK

On Monday November 17th Dr. Bennett and a group of PHS volunteers travelled to Red Bank for our 3^rd annual vet clinic.  Despite a miscommunication (the villagers were unaware the vet was coming), we managed to treat 63 animals - including a Kinkajou!    Dr. Bennett also treated horses, dogs, cats and pigs!  Sadly, one dog required euthanasia.

Many thanks to our volunteers, Bob Thomas, Barb Belle, and Pat Rarrick.  A very special thanks to Pam Naylor of Kentucky who, 3 years ago, saw the need for a vet clinic in Red Bank and consistently raises the money each year to sponsor it.  The Clinic is free to the Red Bank villagers.

DANGRIGA AND SANTA CRUZ

PHS plans to add Dangriga and Santa Cruz to our field clinic schedule in 2009.

I cannot express in words our gratitude to our members who maintain their memberships year after year and consistently support PHS with their generous donations.   This is the foundation that makes it possible for PHS to hold our many field clinics to care for animals in need.