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Karen Jenkins
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I got involved with the Clinics in 2000. The first one held in Tulum in April of 2000. I had recently closed a laundry business so had a large building space empty at the time. It was pretty incredible to see the doctors and technicians at work. You would have thought that these animals were the most precious babies in the world, even though covered with ticks, fleas and very much in need of baths. It was quite an attraction for the local children as well, hanging on to windows to get a peek at what the doctors were doing.
Then, we had people bringing puppies in baby carriages! There were about 8 of them, the human babies in mother's arms and the puppies in the carriages. That is one happening I don't think I will ever forget as they paraded down the street.
I have been hosting the Tulum clinics ever since, normally twice a year. The community has gotten so much out of this service; they ask me on the street "when are the Vets coming next". The collars and leashes help out as well, you can see it on people’s faces that they are proud of their animals leading them down the street, they could not have afforded this on their own.
Aside from hosting the clinic I also work in the "recovery" room, run errands, and of course wash the laundry! There are many recovery room episodes, from all the animals who might have been a bit mean coming in to sprawling as if drunk on the floor all over each other to having problems in the early evening and getting the doctors back to the clinic, almost streaking (you know how a pareo can come open!) part of the city with a police escort lighting the way.
My life has been wonderfully enriched by all the people involved with these Clinics. Doctors, Technicians, and Volunteers who pay their own way to come and work in conditions most people would not even dream of does wonders for the soul. I will continue to host the Clinics here in Tulum as long as I can.
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