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Iwo Jima Brings Veterinary Assistance to Colombia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100817-12
8/17/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zane Ecklund, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs

COVENAS, Colombia (NNS) -- U.S. Army Soldiers and non-governmental organizations representatives embarked aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) are providing veterinary assistance in Colombia Aug. 12 as part of Continuing Promise 2010.

Veterinarians associated with the humanitarian mission are providing vaccinations and minor surgeries to animals in Colombia as well as educating livestock owners, both efforts designed to improve the food source for Colombians.

Army Capt. Rebecca Carden, a veterinarian from South Plains Veterinary Services Fort Sam Houston in Texas said education is the most effective method to get the most out of the aid being provided.

"The most important thing we do is provide education because it is a permanent change," she said. "It's nice to de-worm and vaccinate but I get more satisfaction in showing someone how to do it."

Providing veterinary services while in uniform yields the additional benefit of showing the military in a different light, Carden said.

"The military isn't just infantry," she said. "We are capable of performing a variety of missions people might not think about."

Lt. Teniente Omar Edgardo Reatiga Rincon, a veterinarian with the Colombian Air Force said he appreciates the opportunity to work with U.S. service members.

"The United States has shown us a different way of handling animals, so we learn and we also get to teach others," Rincon said.

Rincon also knows Colombians who receive the help are very grateful for aid they receive.

"They [Colombians] have been very grateful because people don't have very much money," said Rincon. "They are receiving help they normally wouldn't get."

Julie Gustines, a veterinary assistant with World Vets, has been volunteering for a year and a half internationally and said the efforts put forth by service members during Continuing Promise are appreciated.

"It is a great campaign," said Gustines. "The fact that the United States can bring a ship here to help is great."

Continuing Promise 2010 is a humanitarian civic assistance mission. The assigned medical and engineering staff embarked aboard Iwo Jima will work with partner nation's teams to provide medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering assistance to eight different nations to improve mutual understanding of current medical issues.