Greetings to my clients and friends,

We are back from Liberia, West Africa! Thanks for all your support and interest in my trip—it was an amazing time!

Liberia is a country full of warm and friendly people. They are so happy to finally be at peace and are so appreciative of the desire to help the country. I describe Liberia as a country in motion, people want to move past the years of war and rebuild their country and they are moving forward with these plans.

When I first announced I was going to Liberia, people asked “why”, then they asked “do people have pets?” The first question was easy; I have had a long standing relationship with the people of Liberia, starting from the time I collected money to send to the displacement camps for Teddy Bears for the children. (that was back in the 1990’s) But, pets? And how did people treat their pets? The only way for me to answer that question was to go and see for myself.

I wasn’t going to Liberia to treat the animals; I was going to help make an assessment of what was in the country and what was needed to help with the animal health care system. I was in over my head—I am very comfortable examining and treating animals, but an assessment was not something I had never done before. In stepped my friend and colleague, Dr. Beth Miller from Little Rock. Dr. Beth has been working in the international consulting field for years. Together, along with my daughter Miriam, we flew to Liberia having no idea what was ahead, but determined to help the people of Liberia!

We hit the country running—the afternoon we arrived we sat with our governmental contacts to work out an agenda. Miriam got to play on the beach---not a great idea as it turns out. As it was rainy season, the waves were very strong and Miriam got a bit too close to the water. She was knocked off her feet, but luckily our driver was right there to pluck her out of the ocean! Miriam now has a very healthy respect for the ocean and I’ve got a few more gray hairs!

Dr. Beth and I met with various governmental officials, nongovernmental officials, pet owners and children learning their feelings on animals and what help they need to move forward with health care for animals in the country.

The last Saturday before we left, I held a one day Rabies clinic—my vaccine company donated 350 doses of Rabies to give to the pets in the country. After making one radio announcement, I wasn’t sure anyone would show up, but they did! In about 3 hours I vaccinated over 100 dogs and one cat! (cats are a bit harder to catch—they tend to live in the attics to help with rodent control and are not use to being petted) During the clinic I was able to look closely at the dogs and determine various problems which need to be addressed. What I saw were dogs with wounds on their ears—most likely due to fly bites or possibly mites, then the dogs scratch and itch at the area causing open wounds. Most of the dogs are under 2 years of age and if female they are pregnant or nursing puppies. But, people cared about their dogs!! Even the Minister of Agriculture, Florence Chenworth, was surprised both at the number of people who turned out to have their pet vaccinated as well as how much people cared about their dogs.

The next day, we just stopped in a few villages and announced we had Rabies vaccine to give away. I vaccinated another 100 dogs in a very short period of time. People were so grateful that we were there and that we wanted to help!

Some of you may wonder about Miriam, my daughter. She had a fun time, attending a local private school for two weeks, learning how to take a bath using a bucket of hot and cold water and meeting new friends everywhere she went. Liberia has made a lasting effect on her!

Now what? Veterinarians without Borders (VWB) is committed to helping Liberia and the animals of Liberia. We are looking at holding another Rabies clinic (there was just an outbreak of rabies in one of the northern counties), training the animal care workers, teaching local villagers the basics in animal husbandry and the list goes on and on! VWB is looking at grant writing, partnerships with other organizations and donations to continue the work. Please visit their web site www.veterinarianswithoutbordersus.org.

Thanks,

Dr. G