1/2/18
Day 7
This day was AMAZING. We woke up and had breakfast and headed straight to Arenal, a small village right next to the Guatemala border. When we rolled up, people were already there with their dogs waiting! It made me feel warm to see that for some reason. We went inside and helped set up the clinic, different stations like reception, then physicals, and surgery and post op. As soon as we said we were ready there was truly an INFLUX. But it was so great. Lordis had set up a table with the vaccines and dewormers, Dr. Stephanie was giving all of the rabies, and with our thermometers and all. I borrowed Dr. Stephanie’s stethoscope for the day, and me and my partner Giulia went forth and started doing exams. Giulia thankfully knew some spanish and she was able to speak to all of the people after we looked at their dogs. The dogs for the most part were all in pretty good condition, and a lot of other students seemed to be surprised. Their ears and teeth and in general honestly, looked way better than a lot of patients I see at my clinic back in the states lol. And I’m pretty sure they don’t brush these dogs teeth or clean their ears regularly, or even at all. If anything, some were just dirty lol. A lot of the dogs had to be muzzled because they were frightened, and granted that is the situation when we are poking and prodding them and they usually are just roaming outside and having fun. The people were so nonchalant and kinda just slapped or pushed them and helped us restrain them when needed, and it was funny how like a little kid would be so nonchalant about it. In the states people would freak out if their dog was freaking out. WOw I should just move here because people are better lol. The people were shy and cute and super thankful and it made me really happey. What a great way to start the new year. When we went on to surgery, the first one we assisted with was a spay. The dog though, was in heat. I have seen multiple surgeries before, and the ones here up close and personal so far, including the spay that we helped with at the clinic the other day, but holding the uterine tubes that were so so warm and that influx of blood made me really nervous and lightheaded. I had to sit down for a bit and Lordis had me sniff rubbing alcohol? which made me feel better. Once Dr. T had finished up the surgery, we picked her up and moved her to another table and sutured her up and then cared for her during post op. After she was kinda good, I gave instructions on aftercare and Giulia translated for the person. I felt so so good inside and happey, like yay success :))))) We helped out with one more spay and a neuter and more exams. While cleaning up, me and Giulia and Amanda helped vaccinate some horses with Dr. Stephanie. I got to handle and deworm a 1yr old foal it was adorable. Dr. T finished the day with 19 surgeries!!!! It was a 9 to 5 kinda day, jammed packed but so so amazing. The people of Arenal seemed so thankful, and I was so thankful to have this opportunity to be able to provide a service and give back to this country in some way. I have learnt so much so far and have gotten so much love, and this day made me so so happey and an amazing start to the year. We ended the day with dinner (I got horchata) and then we all crashed.
Leave a Reply