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Joint-Service Veterinarians Help in Ecuador

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070819-03
Release Date: 8/19/2007 11:14:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler Jones, USNS Comfort Public Affairs

MANTA, Ecuador (NNS) -- Preventive medicine physicians and technicians attached to the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) provided veterinarian services to farmers and animal owners in Arroyo, Ecuador, Aug. 18.

The team, comprised of professionals from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), Navy, Army and the non-governmental organization Project Hope, vaccinated livestock and applied deworming medications to beef and dairy cattle. Additionally, the team provided education and training to help Ecuadorians prevent future outbreaks of worms and similar infestations.

“What we’re trying to do is help vaccinate the animals, because ultimately the health of the animals affects the health of the people,” said Lt. Jason Mangum, a USPHS environmental health officer. “People here depend heavily on animals for their livelihood, so that makes this particular mission very important.”

In addition to providing services for livestock, the technicians vaccinated domesticated dogs and cats against rabies to help protect the owners and their families.

“Being able to help people and interact with them is what I enjoy most about these types of missions,” said Carrie Farris, a Project Hope volunteer. “Working with animals is something that makes me feel like I’m making a positive impact in these communities, and hopefully, that will be an impact that lasts long after we’re gone.”

Although the services were offered locally, Mangum said he hopes to be making a much larger impact through the services being offered.

“There is a bigger picture here,” said Mangum. “What we’re doing here does matter, and hopefully we’re making an impact, not just locally, but globally as well.”

The veterinary services are being offered by Comfort in conjunction with its ongoing humanitarian visit to Ecuador, part of the ship’s four-month humanitarian deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean.