In many parts of the world without daily veterinary services, many people cannot afford to provide routine care for their beloved pets. Sometimes, they don't know that their pets need routine care.
This is where The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA)—formerly known as Rural Area Veterinary Services or RAVS—enters the picture. HSVMA field teams bring veterinary services to poor communities around the globe from Bolivia to Bell County, Kentucky. Volunteer veterinary students work with several professional veterinarians to provide essential services such as sterilizations and vaccinations and educational services such as tutorials on disease prevention and pet care.
Dr. Eric Davis, DVM, heads the HSVMA Field Services program and is a diplomate for both the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Before joining The HSUS, Davis was veterinary director of Remote Area Medical (RAM) in Knoxville, Tenn., where he founded the traveling veterinary services program in 1995. RAM was often supported by The HSUS and was assisted by its regional offices. Davis has led teams into some of the neediest regions in the western hemisphere, including parts of Mexico, Guatemala, the Caribbean, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guyana, Guam, Palau, Pohnpei and Kosrae.
On a typical HSVMA site visit, about 12 to 25 veterinary school volunteers and three to five veterinarians and technicians will conduct one or two clinics a day. By the time their multi-day visit or tour is complete, volunteers and staff typically perform up to 300 vaccinations a day and 30 to 60 surgeries per clinic.
HSVMA has benefited not only thousands of animals and their owners, but has also expanded the knowledge of veterinary school students.
"We are exposing future veterinarians to humane work. They need to know that it is right to come to the aid of animals in need," Davis says.
Because its work is never done, HSVMA Field Services is continually looking for two things: more veterinary volunteers and more funds. If you're a veterinary student interested in volunteering, visit the HSVMA schedule page. All others can support this important cause with a donation.
Donate to HSVMA.
To learn more about HSVMA Field Services, visit the HSVMA web site.
