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| David Bailey said he heard about the Disaster Relief Wellness Clinic for Dogs and Cats on the news and brought his dog Achillies to the event to be vaccinated and receive a microchip implant. |
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| SU animal science student Jennifer Brown vaccinates a dog while professor Gary Simon, DVM, and research scientist Janana Snowden, Ph.D, hold the animal during the SU Ag Center's Sept. 12 Disaster Relief Wellness Clinic for Dogs and Cats. |
Baton Rouge, LA – More than 300 cats and dogs received
free physical exams, as well as, annual and rabies vaccines during the Southern
University Ag Center’s Disaster Relief Wellness Clinic for Dogs and Cats on
Sept. 12.
While the majority of the initial relief from the
August flood was focused on providing the basic necessities to human flood
victims, many of our four legged family members also suffered from the after
effects of the disaster.
“When an unfortunate event occurs, such as a disaster,
there is an abundance of emotional and physical stress to all involved including
animals,” said Renita Marshall, DVM, and associate professor at the SU Ag
Center.
Marshall and Tyra Davis Brown, DVM, an SU Alumnus and
Veterinarian, came up with the idea to provide a wellness clinic for pets to
fill an often over looked need within the Baton Rouge community and surrounding
areas.
“As a veterinarian, you take an oath to use scientific
knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of
animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the
conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the
advancement of medical knowledge. That is exactly what Dr. Brown and I set out
to do with the disaster wellness clinic,” added Marshall.
In addition to the vaccinations and exams, the animals
were also provided with heartworm, flea and tick prevention medication, nail
clipping and food samples. Nearly 200 of the animals also received a free
microchip implant that will assist owners in locating their pets if they are
lost or separated from them during another natural disaster.
Event partaker David Bailey, who brought his dog
Achillies, expressed appreciation for the clinic stating that he first heard
about it on the news and followed up with a visit to the SU Ag Center website
for full details. Another beneficiary from the event was Charles Herndon who reported
that the flood had impacted their finances and he was happy to get assistance
for his four dogs, which he has rescued over the years.
“The SU Ag
Center, being a pillar in many communities around Baton Rouge and the
surrounding areas, is poised to strategically implement programs and events to
assist where and when it is needed the most,” said Marshall.
SU Baton Rouge campus professor Gary Simon, DVM, several animal science students from Southern University’s College of Agriculture and several SU Ag Center staff members assisted in the event.
Photos from the event are available here.
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