Named for the rural town in which it is based, Project Samana is an animal welfare program that takes place on the Samana peninsula on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Thanks to our very own Dr. Robert Labdon, who founded Project Samana in 1992, twice a year, a team of veterinarians, technicians and students spend a week in this region operating both small and large animal clinics. A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the November 2009 Project Samana Team. It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had!
One would think that with only basic donated supplies and the lack of electricity and running water, the atmosphere would be one of chaos, tension and frustration. But, in fact, it was just the opposite. It was amazing to me that this team of 19, most of whom I had never met before, was able to come together and, within hours, work so well, it was though we had doing so for years.
Our first morning, we were greeted by our first 20 or so owners with their dogs on wire leashes and their cats in shopping bags and other creative carrying devices. We quickly set up our stations with our respective supplies and got right to work spaying and neutering four, and sometimes five, animals at time. 
With an injection of antibiotics and some pain medication, the animals were free to go home as soon as they were able to walk.
All of the surgical instruments were quickly scrubbed and disinfected between patients by a very generous local man who has volunteered at these clinics for years. We kept up this pace until we ran out of daylight. (Although, one afternoon, we finished up our last patients by flashlight!) On average, we performed between 25 and 35 surgeries a day, with a final total of more than 140 animals.
When I first found out that I would be going to Samana, I was nervous about being outside of my "comfort zone". I had never worked anywhere but in a hospital setting. The idea of being anywhere else seemed so overwhelming! But no sooner than when I began to shave or first patients surgical site, I realized that it didn't matter where I was. It didn't matter how hot, filthy or exhausted I was. What mattered was that I, and everyone else who has ever been a part of Project Samana, was able to help these animals and their owners when they needed us. Now I can't wait for the opportunity to go back!
2009 Project Samana Team
With an injection of antibiotics and some pain medication, the animals were free to go home as soon as they were able to walk.
All of the surgical instruments were quickly scrubbed and disinfected between patients by a very generous local man who has volunteered at these clinics for years. We kept up this pace until we ran out of daylight. (Although, one afternoon, we finished up our last patients by flashlight!) On average, we performed between 25 and 35 surgeries a day, with a final total of more than 140 animals.
When I first found out that I would be going to Samana, I was nervous about being outside of my "comfort zone". I had never worked anywhere but in a hospital setting. The idea of being anywhere else seemed so overwhelming! But no sooner than when I began to shave or first patients surgical site, I realized that it didn't matter where I was. It didn't matter how hot, filthy or exhausted I was. What mattered was that I, and everyone else who has ever been a part of Project Samana, was able to help these animals and their owners when they needed us. Now I can't wait for the opportunity to go back!
2009 Project Samana Team
