This post is part of a series documenting a trip undertaken by a team of volunteers with World Vets who traveled to Arusha, Tanzania in June 2012 to provide veterinary care for the under (or should be say un-) served donkey population. For the full series of posts covering World Vets, please click here. I think genuine smiles are much more interesting than canned ones. You can tell. You can always tell. And as much as posed photos work in certain circumstances, I tried to avoid overly ... Read more »
World Vets
Asante sana
I actually have an Ask Dr V segment I did yesterday that covered my favorite travel items I'm packing. I filmed it. Did I edit it? No. Am I out of time? Yes. So, I guess I can just tell you, though that lacks a certain visual impact, that I refuse to leave without having my buff (of course), my quick dry undies (some places in Africa won't launder women's undergarments), my Steri Pen to kill any garbage in the water, and jelly bellies. A long time ago when I was running a lot and was ... Read more »
A breath of fresh air: World Vets in action
We tend to take for granted all the medicine we have at our fingertips for our pets- ultrasounds, MRIs, surgeons with insane specialties. It's easy to forget sometimes the conditions most of the rest of the world functions in. It's one of the reasons I am in such awe of organizations like World Vets, which sends vets all over the world to not only help animals, but help the vets in other countries learn cutting edge skills. Running a multi-national nonprofit like this presents challenges you ... Read more »
Faces of the Flood
It hasn't been in the news nearly enough, but there is a major disaster happening in Thailand right now. 20 of Thailand's 77 provinces have been hit by floods since July, affecting 1/5 of the country's population. In a county whose resources are already stretched thin, imagine the impact of this sort of natural disaster on the street dog population. In Bangkok alone, there are an estimated 60-70,000 stray dogs, and they are suffering greatly. Local organizations such as Soi Dog and Wildlife ... Read more »
I have a match, who’s got the lighter fluid?
Pardon me a moment of exceptional sentimentality here, but I can't help it. I'm getting a little Linda Richman as we speak. From something that began as a flurry of e-mails amongst a couple of the Be the Change pals on Sunday, Paws for Japan evolved into a event with over 150 blogs, countless Facebook posts and Tweets, and untold participation- with only 3 days notice. It's like we posted a "hey, we're having a little cookout at the bay, BYOB" to the community wall at the library and the ... Read more »
Dr. V’s Kiss My Blarney Garage Sale!
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, a traditional Irish blessing that seems particularly apropos: We're on this Earth together, And if we would be brothers, Fight not just on your own behalf But for the sake of others. I don't have awesome products to sell like the people in the previous post, so I had to resort to badgering other people to help me out to come up with some offerings. All proceeds benefit World Vets, of course. ... Read more »
Pet Etailers Giving Back: Shop Here!
Despite giving everyone about 2 days' notice, so many of you came through and offered to host giveaways, donate proceeds to World Vets, and all around be amazing in support of Paws for Japan and animal relief. Thank you all. These are all the giveaways and donations I was made aware of by e-mail as of the 16th, but if I missed any or if you know of other ones, please add them in to the comment section! I know there are some auctions and other giveaways going on today...very exciting day! I ... Read more »
Paws for Japan: Why Animal Rescues Matter
As the world watches the horror in Japan worsen from day to day, and scores of people flee from the devastated island, a small but dedicated group of heroes are leaving safety behind and heading into the maelstrom. Among them, people whose sole purpose is to rescue the animal victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Much has been made of this video making the rounds. In it, a news crew comes upon a sad sight that is being replayed all over the country. Those animals are alive now, thanks to ... Read more »
Paws for Japan
Like many of you, I have been glued to the television this weekend in horror at the disaster that has befallen the residents of Japan. At times like these, our daily concerns about Little League games, the price of gas, or frustrations about the stupid little things evaporate as we take a look around at all the things we are fortunate enough to have- loved ones, security, safety- and imagine them all swept away in the blink of an eye. We will donate, as always, to the usual organizations ... Read more »
