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WesternU College of Veterinary Medicine provides care to neglected animals

by Rodney Tanaka

June 28, 2016

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Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and students are volunteering this week to help animals removed from a sanctuary under investigation for neglect.

San Bernardino Animal Care and Control removed more than 100 dogs and nearly 40 cats from Paws Rescue Ranch in the Morongo Basin as part of an ongoing animal neglect investigation on June 24, 2016. Animal control officers removed 11 dogs and found a dead shepherd mix dog chained outside without water or shade at the site June 22 as part of their initial investigation, according to San Bernardino County’s Community Relations Office.

Forty dogs were taken to the Apple Valley Animal Shelter and 40 cats were taken to the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter. The San Bernardino County Animal Shelter in Devore received about 75 dogs. Animals in need of immediate care were taken to local veterinarians.

WesternU’s College of Veterinary Medicine brought its VACS II (Veterinary Ambulatory Community Service) vehicle to the Devore shelter to provide physical examinations and treatment to more than 60 dogs.

“We’re very grateful for their assistance in this,” said Greg Beck, program manager for San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control. “Their help came at the right time. It was fortuitous that we had them to use as a resource because of the situation with this large number of animals. We would have overwhelmed any single veterinary clinic. They would have been seen, but I don’t know in how timely a fashion, so they’re helping us expedite the care that the animals are receiving. It’s been really invaluable.”

 

 

CVM faculty and students are volunteering during the college’s summer break. VACS II will come Monday through Friday this week, staffed each day by three veterinarians, Registered Veterinary Technician Leslie Tortez, and four or five students.

The majority of animals have skin conditions and some are profoundly emaciated, said CVM Assistant Professor Frank Bossong, DVM. But most of the dogs are wagging their tails and eating up the attention, he said.

“It’s a great learning opportunity for students,” Bossong said. “What I love about WesternU is we get our students out there seeing patients in real-life situations and experiences.”

WesternU team members examined 19 patients Monday and expected to see about 30 dogs Tuesday. They will see 67 patients in all, and also follow up with some of the patients they saw at the beginning of the week.

“I thought this would be a wonderful experience to help out in the community and to help animals in need,” said second-year CVM student Evelyn Bobbitt, who volunteered June 28. “I also thought it would make me a better doctor.”

The animals will not be available for immediate adoption because of the ongoing investigation, Beck said, but the public can help. During summer months, animal shelters often receive an influx of kittens and puppies born in the spring.

“The best thing the public can do is go to shelters and adopt the animals that are available for adoption,” Beck said. “That’s the way the public can help lessen the burden on the shelters.”

 

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