Courtesy Photo | Georgetown, Texas native Staff Sgt. Tracy Morken of the 406th Medical Detachment of...... read more read more
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Pfc. Ryan A. Cleary, 196th MPAD, Rickenbacker AFB
ALDEA OROTINOS, Honduras - Soldiers from Ohio and Texas Army National Guard units tended to domestic animals, Mar 27 during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the village of Aldea Orotinos.
The Veterinarian Soldiers are part of Operation New Horizons, a joint task force fostering strong relationships between U.S. and Honduran Militaries.
The main objective of the veterinarians for the New Horizons mission is training, said Col Alvin Baumwart, of the 406th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services, out of Roundrock, Texas.
"Supplies and instructions have been provided by the Hondurans and are administered by our Soldiers. The directions given by the Honduran government helps our efforts and absolves the U.S. government of responsibility," said Baumwart.
"The byproduct of the mission is humanitarian aid," Baumwart went on to explain,
Veterinarians apply the resources supplied by the Hondurans while building strong relations with the community.
The vet's general foci are animals and food inspection, said Baumwart.
Unhealthy hygiene and sanitation run rampant in Honduras; especially in animals used as food. The vets role in this arena is to trace contaminated food back to the source and treat the infected animals.
Teaching the Hondurans better animal care helps them combat future disease outbreak for both the animals and their owners.
Given that the conditions in this region are not sanitary, the inhabitants and livestock are often at risk of contracting worms and other parasites from their food and water supply.
Worms spread through the fecal matter of animals. Cross contamination occurs when other animals ingest the contaminated matter, and then humans consume the infected livestock.
"The majority of the problem is people not washing their hands", said Baumwart.
The veterinarians battle this problem by vaccinating cats, dogs, cattle, horses, sheep, swine, and a number of other animals that need deworming and care.
Working alongside doctors and dentists, the veterinarians spread the word that aid was available. Villagers brought their animals to a local primary school to receive the deworming pills and other aid for the animals.
Today, dogs were the only animals that were treated, although the veterinarians handle all types.
The pills are administered orally and the majority of the animals seen cooperated with the treatment. For the animals less compliant, a shot was administered near the base of the spine after all oral medications were dispensed.
This shot was not easily applied because of the behavior of the dogs. Most of the dogs were hyperactive after spending several minutes socializing with other dogs.
Distracted by other animals, the dogs were forcibly restrained so the medication could be injected. If the owner of the animal could not properly restrain the animal, then other methods were used and the shot was administered.
The shot, which is not applied very often, caused more discomfort than the pill.
Although Baumwart would have liked to have more people show, the day was an overall success and the animals were well cared for.
"We're being received very well in the community," said Baumwart.
And as witnessed by the veterinarians, doctors and dentists, the community appeared grateful for the aid and care that they and their animals received.
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.29.2006 11:17 |
| Story ID: | 5894 |
| Location: | ALDEA OROTINOS, HN |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 54 |
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