Native American Project HSVMA Stipend

By: Angela Snell

Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2011

Just before beginning my clinical year at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, I spent a week with the Humane Society Field Services at two Native American reservations in Nevada.As part of a team of veterinarians, technicians, and veterinary students, I worked long days to provide veterinary services to as many animals as possible. Two of my days were spent receiving people’s pets for vaccinations and/or surgery. The people I met were very appreciative that we were there to care for their animals. One man brought in his cat who had injured her paw a few days before, and was now lame and had a fever. Although he was primarily interested in having her spayed, he showed concern about her tender paw and let us investigate her lameness and fever.  We found some bite wounds on her leg, started her on antibiotics, and after just one night at the clinic she was bearing weight on her leg again. After two days, she was ready to be spayed and the owner was very pleased that we were able to provide her with such good care.

While I was on the reservation, I was also able to take one morning away from the clinic to talk to a class at the local high school. I spent an hour with animal science students and we discussed a variety of topics, including the reasons why a pet should be seen by a veterinarian. When I asked this question, I was surprised when the first response was “to kill it,” and I realized that a discussion about euthanasia was in order. I talked about when veterinarians tend to feel that it is an appropriate decision and a little about how it is accomplished. I talked about the animal losing consciousness and therefore not feeling pain during the euthanasia. The students were intrigued. I believe the students enjoyed the talk and learned about the field of veterinary medicine. It was my first time speaking to students specifically about veterinary medicine, and after three years of study I felt I was able to share some interesting, and hopefully memorable, stories with them. I would like to thank the Native American Project (NAP) for reminding me of the importance of doing this type of outreach/education and for their financial support.

Native American Project HSVMA Stipend

By: Amy Vlazny

Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2011

Through the windows of the car winding through the mountains north of Elko, Nevada, the landscape grew increasingly desolate.  Without a tree or building to give it form the valley seemed starkly flat, and the mountains, tipped with snow, jutted up suddenly in the distance.  The sandy ground was dusted with light snow and sparsely covered with drab sagebrush – the Nevada state flower.  The setting seemed as exotic as the high páramo of the Andes, the dry, frosty grasslands found at altitudes higher than trees can grow.  But, no; I was only in my country's very own snowy mountain desert.

            I was taking this adventure into an area of the U.S. formerly unknown to me in order to participate in an HSVMA Field Services spay/neuter clinic at the Duck Valley Indian Reservation.  I was one of 25 veterinary students who, along with eight veterinarians and ten technicians, volunteers and staff, were now rolling into the town of Owyhee in a ten-car caravan behind a truck and trailer full of veterinary equipment, intending to spay, neuter, and vaccinate just about any dog or cat that would come through the gymnasium doors over the next four days.  They were four hectic and exhausting days, but the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the appreciation of our clients made for a rich learning experience and countless enjoyable interactions.   

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My trip to Hoopa

By: Kate Parent

University of Illinois, Class of 2011

Last summer, Kate participated in a RAVS trip where she got some great new experiences, but she also earned herself some cash to help with the costs by applying for the SAVMA Native American Project externship stipend. To learn more about the stipend, visit the committee's site on the SAVMA Website at: http://www.avma.org/noah/members/savma/committees/napinfo.asp

Over spring break during my second year, I decided to live a little and go on a RAVS trip. It was a fabulous experience – during no other week of my life did I sleep so little or learn so much.

            My trip was to serve the Hupa people of the Hoopa Valley Tribe living in northwestern California. According to Hupa tradition, these people have been living in the Hoopa Valley for 4,000 years. Based on my readings before the trip, I hoped to see beautifully twined baskets made by the women, homes built of cedar slabs set on end, and yew bows strengthened with sinew fastened to the back with sturgeon glue. However, I did not get to explore the culture and crafts of the Hupa people during my stay there, mostly due to the duties we had at the RAVS shed that kept us busy from 6 am to 11 or 12 every night, but I did meet some wonderful people that were grateful for the service we were providing for their animals.

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