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Dr. Julie Stafford (USA) and Dr. Gustavo Jimenez Sierra (Colombia) working together during the Global Outreach project.

Dr. Julie Stafford (USA) and Dr. Gustavo Jimenez Sierra (Colombia) working together during the Global Outreach project.

WSAVA, Hill's Congress Outreach Program Welcomed By Pet Owners In Colombia

7 years ago
1290 views

Posted
24th January, 2017 08h35

Author
WSAVA


Video Offers Insight into Global Outreach Project

TOPEKA, Kan. (January 23, 2017) – An outreach program run by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association  and supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition highlights the benefit that veterinarians can offer to companion animals and their owners living in the most deprived areas of the world by simply volunteering a few days of their time.

Ten veterinarians from around the world participated in the WSAVA-Hill’s program, which is part of the WSAVA’s 2016 Global Outreach initiative and was held just prior to the organization’s world congress in September in Cartagena, Columbia.  The volunteer veterinarians and members of ‘Organisacion por el Respeto y Ciudado de los Animales’, a local non-governmental organization, provided preventative health treatments and routine veterinary care for more than 300 dogs and cats in a Cartagena district where poverty levels are high. They also carried out a spay-neuter program to help limit population growth among dogs and cats in the city.

Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, Chief Professional Relations Officer at Hill’s, commented:  "Hill’s is delighted to support the WSAVA’s Global Outreach initiative because it aligns perfectly with our mission to support the veterinary community in caring for companion animals around the world.  WSAVA Global Outreach empowers veterinarians to apply their skills in an environment that may be very different from the clinic where they work. In our experience, they invariably rise to the challenge and find the experience of helping animals with so little access to veterinary care very rewarding.  It was touching to hear the gratitude of so many owners and of our colleagues at ORCA, and we were delighted to be able to offer them the help they so badly needed.”

The owners of many of the animals treated during the two-day outreach program, as well as members of ORCA, expressed their thanks in a video filmed while the temporary volunteer-run clinic was open.  It can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/oPGG5V-PF9w

WSAVA President Walt Ingwersen said: “Global Outreach enables volunteer veterinarians to use their knowledge and experience to help build a better future for people and animals in another part of the world.  We regularly hear from those taking part in these programs how much they enjoyed them – and how much they learned.  Global Outreach benefits everyone involved – including the veterinarians who volunteer their time - and we encourage more members of our veterinary community to participate.”

Dr. Ivanov Castellanos, a veterinarian from the ‘Asociacion Colombiana de Medicos Veterinarios Especialistas en Pequenos Animales’, volunteered for Global Outreach. He said, “We do this because, as veterinarians, we share a love of animals and for people who own animals. The queue of animals on the day our clinic opened said it all.  There is a huge need for the type of care we offered in Cartagena in many places around the world, and programs such as this play a key role in delivering this vital support.”

Dr. Walt Ingwersen added: “We are delighted that this year’s program was so successful and thank Hill’s Pet Nutrition for its continued support with Global Outreach.”

About the WSAVA

The WSAVA is an umbrella organization focused on enhancing the clinical care of companion animals around the world.  It represents around 200,000 veterinarians globally through 101 member associations which work together to advance the health and welfare of companion animals.  Hill’s is the WSAVA’s most long-standing and significant industry partner.

About Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hills' mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. The right nutrition combined with the devotion of veterinary professionals can transform the lives of pets; and healthier and happier pets can transform the lives of pet parents. Hill's is dedicated to pioneering research and groundbreaking nutrition for dogs and cats based on a scientific understanding of their specific needs. HILL'S® Prescription Diet® therapeutic pet foods, HILL'S® Science Diet® and HILL'S® Ideal Balance™ wellness pet foods are sold through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about Hill's, our products and our nutritional philosophy, visit us at HillsPet.com, HillsVet.com or Facebook, keywords "Hill’s Pet Nutrition."

 

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