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November 2003 Tulum Clinic
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VIDAS November Clinic went off without a hitch, some 220 animals were tended to in 5 days and 190 surgeries were performed. Veterinarians and volunteers from the US and Mexico worked together to help the animals of Tulum. The outcomes from this clinic are amazing. In addition, it looks like, thanks to Salvador Espejel, a Veterinarian from Cancun and others, there will be an on-going clinic twice a week set up in Tulum after the first of the year. And of course it is always a successful clinic when some wonderful animals find happy homes. There are always some amazing life saving moments; such as, a 6-8 month old dog that needed to have a rope removed from her neck. The rope was probably tied around the dog when she was about 8 weeks old it had grown into her neck and there was a 360-degree cut about ½ inch thick. The rope was surgically removed and skin was cut to promote healing and then stitched. The dog was adopted and will have a long and happy life thanks to many.
There are so many people to thanks that we hope we have not forgotten anyone. First of all we want to thank all our sponsors and people who donated money to make the clinic possible. All the volunteers pay their airfare but supplies are very expensive so clinics are costly. Special thank you to Cat’s Meow for their generous donation. Housing was provided by Rancho Tranquilo, Casa Carabena, Casa Sansu, and Casa Cenote which also provided a wonderful party for all the volunteers. Basilicos, La Casa del Buen Pan, Catalina, Charlies’ Chilis, Aktun Dive Center, Los Tucanes, and Zamas donated meals. A special thanks to Xel-Ha for allowing the volunteers to have a wonderful play day after the clinic and to Maureen Johnston for taking time out of her busy schedule at Xel-Ha to help in the recovery room. If any of you have had the pleasure of meeting Maureen, you more than likely already know she is an avid animal lover. Karen Jenkins – opened her home up to VIDAS and housed the entire clinic on her property – thank you so much for your devotion. And thanks to YEF, Yucatan Environmental Foundation and CEA, Centro Ecologico Akumal for assisting with donations and advertising on their Website and in their Electronic Newsletter; and Beach Trash for advertising in Sac Be newspaper. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize this clinic’s incredible staff of veterinarians and volunteers including: Drs Lesli Hick, Claudia Lewy, Jose Luis Najar, Salvador Espejel, Juan Erazo and Jenny Ripka, volunteers: Jan McHugh, Juli Bratun, Stacie Knapp, Pam Vogel, Victoria Mattoni and January Morgan, Alex West, Gary Neves, and many more who’s behind the scenes help is greatly appreciated.
Please be sure to browse our Website to read first hand accounts and memories. VIDAS’ next clinic will be in the spring of 2004 – check back to learn more about that. Happy Holidays and if you would like to help support VIDAS please be sure to visit our
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