In Latin America, there are over 210 million people living below the poverty line. These marginalized communities are heavily burdened with neglected diseases, and a number of these are transmitted to people by domestic dogs. Two of the most important ones are rabies and cystic hydatid disease: both very different in character but equally as devastating to families with affected loved-ones.
Our Veterinary Services
The focus of the program is to teach people about the importance of keeping their pets healthy rather than only treating them when they are sick or injured. We want all pet owners to understand that veterinary health care is just as much a part of a family’s health care needs as the family members themselves.
The GAAP Clinic
Through our clinic located in Valdivia, Chile, we provide equal access to preventive veterinary care for all sectors of the community – regardless of their socio-economic status – as well as innovative and creative education for owners to strengthen the human-animal bond.
We provide preventive veterinary services to communities that lack them and suffer from a high prevalence of neglected diseases, such as rabies and hydatid disease. These services include physical exams, vaccination, deworming, and sterilization.
See the most recent report from our decade-long veterinariry project in Todos Santos (Guatemala)
Our service is not restricted to animals: we work with owners to help them understand the importance of preventive care, regular vaccination, and deworming of their animals. We also have community days for children that focus on responsible animal ownership and maintaining personal safety in the face of animal attacks.
During our field service campaigns, we take the opportunity to bring North American veterinarians, students, and technicians together with local professionals in Guatemala and Chile to provide a venue for sharing techniques and ideas.