Burns Lake ANIMAL WELLNESS CLINIC, Tuesday, June 7, 2011

VETERINARY CARE CERTAINLY NOT HEADING "SOUTH" FOR THE SOUTHBANK CAAT  PROJECT.  

Rise and rain was the way the morning began for the CAAT group in Southbank, BC.  Waking to the rain though did not dampen spirits as the team prepared for day 2 of the Animal Wellness Clinic.  With animals already waiting at the hall for surgery the project was up and running in no time.  By the end of the day the team had performed 33 sterilization surgeries, 43 vaccinations, and one oral examination.  There were three surgical stations running at todays clinic; each one consisted of a veterinarian and an animal health technologist plus an assistant.  Surgical patients were admitted to the clinic by our admissions volunteer, Marissa; after the paper work was complete the animals were sent to the examination and induction station and prepped for surgery after which they were transported to one of the three surgical stations.  Our surgical patients recovered in the care of Lorna, Carol, and Brenda.  Our day was busy, fun, and successful.  It ended with the CAAT team enjoying a pizza dinner hosted by Keefe's Landing Cafe near the south shore of Francois Lake.  The rain continued moving east and tonight we were graced with a beautiful sunfilled sky.  All of the team is heading to bed early tonight as tomorrow promises to be busier as the news travels of the project here in Southbank; and there is also a rumour that a hockey game starts at 5pm tomorrow night that we all might like to watch.

Isabelle and Jackie prepping a dog for surgery

Donna and Aliesha weighing a kitty

Jackie inserting an IV catheter while Liza restrains

Jackie and Sasha, a spay patient

Owner with her dog, Cougar

Burns Lake ANIMAL WELLNESS CLINIC, Monday, June 6, 2011

Dog spay, Zoe, and her family
Photo by Warren Munroe

Liza and Aliesha examining a cat
Photo by Warren Munroe

Part of the Burns Lake Team, left to right, Jackie Emard, Carol Coffey, Donna Lasser, Isabelle L'Hebreux, Liza Lackner, Liz Bartlett, Aliesha Timms
Photo by Warren Munroe

Bright and early at 6:30 this morning, Aliesha, Donna, Liz and Jackie could be seen "power-walking" down the gravel road for some morning aerobic exercise, and Isabelle and Lulu, one of Alistair and Valerie's dogs, jogging by.  After a breakfast of french toast, the team headed over to prepare for our first patients which would be arriving at nine a.m.  for surgery. While Donna gave the Admissions volunteers, Riley, Marissa, Jan and Denieve a crash course in working at the Admsissions desk, the technicians prepared for the line-up of dogs and cats quickly arriving at the door.  In no time at all we had approximately twenty dogs and cats scheduled for surgery.   Liz Bartlett was our only Veterinarian today and she soldiered through one after another animal as fast as the technicians could get them prepped and on the table.  

Today was very challenging because we had a fair number of feral cats brought in, which had been running stray on one of the Reserves nearby.  A couple of us were scratched in the process, but nothing serious. 

We worked straight through the day until 6:30 p.m. and were able to accomplish five dog spays, three dog neuters, four cat spays, six feline neuters, one eye appointment for a dog, and four vaccine only appointments today.  The entire team worked so hard and Liz was a real trooper, standing in one place all day without complaint.

A disappointing hockey game was ending as we arrived home (Boston slaughtered Vancouver 8 to 1 in game three).   Dr. Cori Stephen and her assistant, Amanda Byers from Vanderhoof arrived as we were starting supper, and the team welcomed them with open arms. After a team meeting to discuss the day, the team dispersed to get a restful sleep. 

Perry - the oh so cute Newfie puppy
Photo by Warren Munroe

BURNS LAKE ANIMAL WELLNESS CLINIC, June 5, 2011

View from the firetower lookout
Photo by Liz Bartlett

Lakeside Legacy Bed and Breakfast
Photo by Aliesha Timms Wilson

BBQ luncheon lakeside
Photo by Liz Bartlett

Our vehicles lined up waiting for the Southbank Ferry
Photo by Aliesha Timms Wilson

 And so begins another adventure with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team!  Three of our Burns Lake, BC team drove approximately seven hours on Friday, from Hope to Prince George or from Kelowna to Prince George.  After spending the night in a motel, we met the rest of our team members at the Prince George airport on Saturday morning. Team photo to follow on tomorrow's blog posting.


  The Burns Lake team is made up of the following members:
  Jackie Emard - Technologist from Kelowna, BC
  Aliesha Timms Wilson - Technologist from Squamish, BC
  Dr. Elizabeth Bartlett - Veterinarian from Langley, BC
  Carol Coffey - Assistant from Squamish, BC
  Isabelle L'Hebreux - Technologist from Calgary, AB
  Liza Lackner - Veterinarian from Richmond, BC
  Donna Lasser - Technologist from Hope, BC
  Dr. Cori Stephen - Veterinarian from Vanderhoof, BC
  Dr. Samantha Fuller - Veterinarian from Prince George, BC
  Kristie McKee - Technologist from Prince George, BC
  Dr. Earladeen MacGregor - Veterinarian from Vancouver, BC
  Dr. Laura White - Veterinarian from Vanderhoof, BC
  Amanda Byers - Assistant from Vanderhoof, BC
  Joanna Hadley - Technologist from Vanderhoof, BC
  Heidi Brown - Assistant from Sechelt, BC
 


 After stopping at the BCSPCA shelter in Prince George and picking up a van so graciously loaned to us for our use during our ten day stay in Burns Lake, we started the three and a half hour drive west to Burns Lake.   We were met by our hostess and contact person, Valerie Ingram, whom we followed the twenty minutes to the Southside Ferry, which crosses Francois Lake.   Valerie and her husband, Alistair, have a beautiful Bed and Breakfast (Lakeside Legacy B&B) situated on Francois Lake (photos to be posted), as well as running the Lakes Animal Friendship Society.


 Upon our arrival at the B&B, we were treated to a wonderful dinner and were given the opportunity to watch the Stanley cup hockey game on T.V., which the Vancouver Canucks fortunately won.


 Sunday morning was started with probably the best pancakes we have ever eaten, as well as some of the best coffee was thoroughly enjoyed by many.  The team spent the morning at the community hall we will be holding our clinic at for the next five days, setting up tables and organizing our supplies to ready ourselves for a busy workday tomorrow.  Following a very productive team meeting, we were treated to a Barbeque beside the lake, and had the privilege of meeting several people connected to the Burns Lake Veterinary Clinic.  Delicious food, great people, gorgeous views of the lake, and interesting conversation  made for a wonderful afternoon.


 We decided to do a practice run with our surgeries this afternoon by spaying and neutering two dogs and one cat, all surrendered by someone who could no longer keep them.  We neutered Perry, a 6 month old Newfie cross and very cute, spayed Bailey, a two year old lab/bassett hound cross, and neutered Mickey Blue Eyes, a two year old lovely and loving siamese cat with a white moustache.  All recovered beautifully from their surgeries.


 After another delicious meal - wow - are we every being spoiled rotten here, like never before anywhere CAAT has ever been - we drove twenty minutes and ended up on top of a hill with a fire towere, looking out over an incredibly gorgeous landscape, as the sun was setting.  Snow-capped mountains in the distance, lush green fields and pasture, endless Aspen and Pine trees as far as the eye can see!


 Tomorrow morning will come quickly, as we are anticipating a full day of appointments, vaccinations, and surgeries.

Jackie (foreground), Donna, Aliesha, Liz, Isabelle, Liza
Photo by Liz Bartlett

  .

Botswana Africa April 2011

Our small team of four is heading out to our pilot project in Botswana very early on Thursday morning!   We are going to do our best to write on the blog when and if we get access to the internet!   We are looking forward to our collaboration with the Maun Animal Welfare Society and assisting in the work with domestic dogs in Maun and the surrounding area.  Stay tuned....

Ucluelet Animal Wellness Clinic continued

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A matching pair!

Donna and pups waiting to be admitted

   After breakfast and a brief team meeting, we made our way up to the community hall by 9 a.m. Clients were waiting at the door when we arrived. It's so nice to see such an eager community, and one which is so "on board" with what we are attempting to do for them and their pets.

Isabelle and kitten

Melanie figuring out drug dosages

   Today was even busier than yesterday but seemed to flow more smoothly.  By the end of our day we had completed twenty-three spays and neuters, and approximately forty vaccination and deworming appointments had gone through. The community was so thankful for all we had done for their pets that they gave the team freshly caught salmon to take home with us.  Thank you to the Ittatsoo reserve once again for a very successful weekend spent with you, and especially to Suzanne Williams and her husband for providing us with delicious meals and accommodations for the weekend! 
   After clean up and packing up of our medical supplies, the team spent the evening having fun and laughs playing Cranium.  

Sarah and pup

Kristina and kitten in recovery

Caitlin and boxer sharing a moment

Ruby and pup in recovery

A recovering boxer

Handsome boy

The salmon gift

Cranium

   
Thank you to all of the team members who made this clinic one of the best we have ever held on the Ittatsoo reserve.

   To see all of our photos from this clinic, please visit our Flickr site at: 
www.flickr.com/photos/caat/sets/ 

Ucluelet Animal Wellness Clinic continued

The community hall - our temporary clinic

A waiting client and pup

Kris, Donna and Barb in Admissions

Sarah, LeAnne and Dr. Rob starting a spay

Donna and Lijila in surgical prep

Caitlin and a pup in recovery

 

Kitty waiting for surgery

Ruby and kitten

Monitoring during surgery

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2010

 Our clinic opened at 9:00 a.m. There were people waiting at the door with their animals when we arrived at the community hall (our clinic for two days).   Barb, Kris and Richard worked on admissions, and Dr. Veronica and her tech and assistant started doing physical exams/vaccinations/dewormings/pre-surgical exams.  The other two Veterinary teams started the spays and neuters.  The day was busy with a steady stream of dogs and cats being brought in for their surgeries and/or vaccinations and dewormings. By the end of the day (6 p.m.) we had completed approximately seventeen spays and neuters as well as thirty animals were vaccinated and dewormed.  We were invited to a Potlatch by the community but we were disappointed to be unable to attend because we worked later than we had anticipated.  The team went out for pizza in town instead and spent the evening relaxing and getting to know one another better.

Ucluelet Animal Wellness Clinic continued

Friday, November 26 - Many of the team came across on the ferry from Vancouver (two hours)  to Nanaimo and then drove through rain, ice and snow over the summit to the west coast of Vancouver Island (approximately three hours).  Several braved the elements and drove up the Island from Victoria and Sidney, and across from the Qualicum area on the east coast of the Island.   After dinner, our first team meeting was held by Donna Lasser, Team leader, where a brief overview was given of how the clinic was to proceed the following morning and questions were answered.  We hit our air mattresses and sleeping bags early, anticipating a busy day tomorrow.

Driving conditions at the summit

First team meeting