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Field Clinics Running in Thailand

The HSI Phuket Disaster Relief Team: 1^st row: Alike Schroeder, Melissa Forberg, Sherry Grant, Rai Arniasih, Juliette Riddall, and Leo Egar. 2^nd row: Piper Grant, Ina Piptsh, Consie von Gontard, Lurs Piptsch, Nana Prayoga and a Thai guard.

21 January 2005

Ba Na Kem, Thailand

HSI, Bali Street Dog Foundation, and Soi Dog, Foundation of Phuket are collaborating on operating a field clinic north of Phuket in a devastated area called  Ba Na Kem, which means salt water in Thai. 

Veterinary nurse Consie with "patient"

Once a successful fishing village, it has many domesticated dogs and cats.  On 26 December while many of the fishermen were coming in from their morning catches, the massive wave flattened their village.  Only two houses and a few commercial buildings are left standing. Boats have been washed inland half a kilometer, and now there are only a few tin roofed  buildings dotting the landscape. With most of its residents dead or without sufficient provisions, many of the  dogs and cats have been left to scavenge for themselves and live in rubble.  Veterinarians, veterinarian nurses, and volunteers from Thailand, America, England, Germany and Indonesia ran the field clinic, which became a place of healing, education, and care. 

Drs. Egar and Rai operating

The field clinic was set up in a Buddhist temple on the fringe of the affected area. Soi Dog Foundation provided all the equipment, and medicine and supplies were donated by HSI.  Training in field techniques was done by Bali Street Dogs.  In 48 hours, 20 dogs and 10 cats were spayed or neutered on one of the four surgery tables set up in the still standing temple.  Afterwards, they were treated for any other needs and their ears tattooed to indicate  that they were treated.

Hand written index cards in Thai explained the program and the operations to the residents.  The few remaining residents were grateful to see the clinic and offered assistance. Many told us how they have been trying to feed the dogs and showed us where they usually reside.  As HSI’s presence became more known, some residents began bringing their animals to the field clinic, or chasing down the truck asking to have their animals neutered as well.  

Vet Assistant and dog catcher Nana stalks his target amid the tsunami ruble

In one incident, a Thai man who had been observing the operations felt the need to participate and try to help.  Unfortunately he hurt a dog that had sort of became a mascot for the team.  The Thai man poured a bottle of  creosote and mercurochrome  over the dog thinking it would cure the dog's skin problems.  As a result the dog went into shock but was immediately treated by the team.  Thankfully this incident ended without a tragedy but it does point out the need for long term education about animal care.

HSI's Piper Grant giving kids animal puppets

In an effort to give something back to the community, The Bali Street Dog team brought a box of animal puppets.  They use the puppets in their humane animal education children programs in Bali (sponsored by WSPA).  While the kids watched the disaster relief team picking up the dogs, puppets were given out, putting a long overdue smile on their faces.   

The HSI's Disaster Relief Team consists of RAV veterinarian Leo Egar and veterinary nurse Consie von Gontard, and veterinarian nurse Melissa Forberg of DART - all from The United States. The team also includes lead surgeon Rai Arniasih and veterinary assistant Nana Prayoga from the Bali Street Dog Foundation

On 23 January, HSI's Sherry Grant and Piper Grant, along with the Bali Street Dog team members will travel to Sri Lanka to join up with another HSI team already working there.

- Piper Grant