July 05, 2011
Christian Veterinary Mission
Every summer for 2 weeks from late July to August, in conjunction with Christian Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Page Wages of Care First Animal Hospital at Oberlin and Dr. Sam Galphin, a local dairy veterinarian, take a group of veterinary students from the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine out to the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. That’s 36 hours west on Interstate 40 in a 16 passenger van! During their time on the reservation, the students learn and teach the Navajo people about deworming and vaccinating their sheep, goats, cattle, horses, dogs, and cats. Dr. Wages teaches and assists the students in spaying and neutering dogs and cats as well.
Over the last 8 years, Drs. Wages and Galphin have developed some great friendships with the Navajo people in each of the towns they visit and serve. They have shared cultural experiences and are able to spend time with the Navajo to share the Christian Gospel.
The Navajo Reservation spans 4 states, yet the veterinary care is limited. At present, there are only 2 veterinarians working the area of the reservation, whose people’s livelihood is their sheep, goats, and cattle. Over the past 8 years, with the continued support of the CVM group and the training the Navajo people have gained, Dr. Wages reports an increase in the general health of the animals. “No longer are we seeing as many animals dying of parasites, which can be easily treated, which is just awesome! The Navajo depend on our group each year to give their pets the wellness checks needed and treat as much as ear infections, to limping sheep, to pneumonia.”
If you have any questions about the trip or Christian Veterinary Mission, please don’t hesitate to stop by Care First Animal Hospital at Oberlin.
Tornado Relief Help:
The tornadoes that came through Raleigh in April were devastating. Many people lost everything and just had each other and their pets. The doctors and staff of Care First Animal Hospital wanted to help in any way we could. Dr. Gordon spent hours cutting up trees and clearing yards. Dr. Wages and a technician from Oberlin held a mini-rabies clinic to vaccinate pets. We have boarded several pets until their owners had a place to stay. Hill’s Science Diet also donated food to our clinic which we gave to firemen to distribute to those in need. We realize that our small contribution doesn’t bring back houses and precious items lost, or even lessen the pain of those that lost loved ones or loved pets, but we do hope that it helped relieve some of the burden.
Are you interested in helping those still recovering from the April tornadoes? Here are a couple of links to organizations that could use you! https://www.thegreenchair.org/ and http://ciraleigh.org/index.html. As always the rescue organizations in our area could use volunteers and donations to help with pets that lost their homes.
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