When I met the founding members of VIDAS I knew right away that this project was something I wanted to be a part of.  I have done several trips now and the experience is always wonderful. After 18 years of practice, I thought I’d seen it all, but the strays in Mexico take the cake. They are malnourished, parasitized and carry all manner of disease.  Many of these infections are contagious to people, so our work benefits the people of the region as well as the animals.  I encourage anyone in the veterinary profession to participate, as it’s a great reminder of the real reasons you got into animal medicine in the first place.

I am always so very impressed by the hard work of all the volunteer staff under such stringent conditions; my hat is off to all of them. Kudos everyone in the Yucatan who supports this cause. I am astonished at their efforts on our behalf and in support of the clinics.  It would be impossible to carry out this work without them. A huge “thank you” to all who promote our cause and who provide food and housing for us while in Mexico!

I received my DVM degree from Texas A&M University in 1989 and an MBA degree at Colorado State University in 2005. I’m very proud to serve on the Board of Directors of VIDAS and as the current president, and to support all of the efforts of this amazing group of volunteers.  I currently am the Medical Director for Firehouse Animal Health Center, Ken Caryl, in Littleton, Colorado (www.myfirehouse.com).