Courtesy Photo | Dr. Michael Simpson, a veterinarian from the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion at Bagram,...... read more read more
By Lt. Col. Keith Moore
QALAT, Afghanistan -- The Zabul Agriculture Department sponsored a two-day training program, June 8-9, to provide updated continuing education for 16 para-veterinarians from across the province.
The program conducted by the Arkansas Agriculture Development Team in Zabul with the assistance of two coalition forces veterinarians from Bahgram, focused on conveying the latest information on common animal diseases and treatments.
The veterinarian training is part of a cooperative medical assistance program provided by coalition forces throughout Afghanistan in an effort to improve medical education and training for professionals dealing with both humans and animals.
Capt. Ryan Miller, a doctor of veterinary medicine and the lead instructor for the Zabul para-vet training said, "This training is designed as a continuing education and mentoring of Afghan para-vets practicing in theater. It is one method to improve the quality of animal health which improves the quality of meat and foods for the Afghan people." Miller added that training the para-vets contributes to the sustainability of an improved agricultural economy in the province, and will have lasting effects on the health and welfare of the Afghan people.
Participants in the training represented eight of the 12 provincial districts in Zabul province. They brought a variety of experience and insight on disease patterns experienced in the province, and asked detailed questions about animal pathology and disease containment and treatment methods.
"This was a sharp group of professionals. They clearly had experience with some of the topics covered and asked questions on important details of various diseases' containment and treatment methods," said Miller.
The curriculum for the training covered not only animal diseases, recognizable symptoms and current treatments, but also zoonatic diseases that can be transmitted or contracted by humans from contact with animals or eating contaminated meats.
Maj. Michael Simpson, another doctor of veterinary medicine on the team noted the significance of providing the zoonatic information to the para-vets saying "this is invaluable information to these professionals, as they are the front line practitioners that can recognize and help contain the spread of any such diseases."
The second day of the training included the mentoring phase - a hands-on vaccination clinic where members of the ADT accompanied para-vets to a nearby village and observed local para-vets in vaccinating and administering anti-worming medication to sheep and goats.
Bismillah Harifal, the Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock for Zabul Province, visited the para-vets during the training and thanked them for their participation and praised them for their dedication to improving the level of animal health throughout the province.
At the conclusion of the training the para-vets were provided a small kit of medications and materials to take back and utilize in treating animals in their areas of the province.
Summarizing the two-day program Master Sgt. Paul Fair, large animal specialist with the Arkansas Agriculture Development Team and coordinator of the event said, "This was our first event and we are very happy with the turn out from the para-vets. Based on their questions, the information seemed to be well received and informative." He added that the ADT hoped to build relationships with each of the para-vets in order to provide ongoing assistance and develop a comprehensive and sustained veterinary program throughout the province.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2010 09:09 |
| Story ID: | 51410 |
| Location: | QALAT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 118 |
This work, Training program enhances education for Zabul para-veterinarians, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT