HUMANE SOCIETY
VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION
RURAL AREA
RURAL
AREA VETERINARY
SERVICES
VETERINARY
SERVICES
HUMANE SOCIETY
VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCATION
ADVOCATE
• Animal advocacy and public outreach
EDUCATE
• Education for veterinary students
• CE for veterinary professionals
SERVE
• Direct care opportunities  RAVS
What Is HSVMA-RAVS?
• Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
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National veterinary medical association
Formed in 2008
Focus: animal health & welfare
Three divisions:
• Advocacy, Member Services & RAVS
• HSVMA-RAVS (Rural Area Veterinary Services)
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Non-profit organization founded in 1995
6 staff members, > 300 volunteers/year
Community outreach + veterinary education
>7000 animals/year
RAVS MISSION
Providing Care
Improving Skills
for animals in need
of veterinary professionals
Engaging veterinary professionals and Inspiring
their participation in animal protection efforts
What Does HSVMA-RAVS Do?
• Field clinics
– Provide high quality medical care to animals in
impoverished rural communities
– Clinical training for veterinary and veterinary
technician students
• Small animal and equine medicine and surgery
• Community education
• Recognition of animal health problems in
economically disadvantaged populations.
Where Does RAVS Go?
• U.S. Reservations
40+ over last 19 years
• International Equine
Projects
Guatemala,
Peru, Nicaragua
Where Does RAVS Go?
• Where there is a need…
– Geographically remote
– Economically impoverished
• Serving the communities
other programs do not
What Services Are Provided?
• Preventative health care
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Spay/neuter
Vaccination
Parasite control
Sick/injured care
Routine care for horses & livestock
Humane education
• Community education
– Dog bite prevention
– Humane animal care
– Disease recognition & prevention
How Many Animals Are Helped?
• >7,000 animals treated/yr
• Value of > $1,500,000/yr
• Thousands of children and
adults educated
Community Participation
• All services provided at no
charge to clients and
community
• Community provides:
– Facility to set up the clinic
– Meals and lodging for RAVS
volunteers
– Local advertising & logistical
support
What Is a ‘Typical’ Trip Like?
• 25-35 students
• 10-15 vets & techs
• 1 - 2 weeks
• Hundreds of exams and
vaccinations
• 30-60 surgeries/day
• Never the same twice!
The Clinic Experience
• Clinic Days
– Start EARLY . . . End LATE
– Volunteers assigned to a clinic area each day
• Receiving, Anesthesia/Recovery, Surgery
– Work until all patients
discharged
– Evening rounds
– May pack and move to
new location daily
A Day In The Life. . .
1: INTAKE
2: PATIENT ASSESSMENT
& CLIENT EDUCATION
3: ANESTHESIA
6: DISCHARGE
4: SURGERY
5: RECOVERY
SLEEP WHILE YOU CAN . . .
TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY!
What Is Needed To Volunteer?
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Sense of adventure
Compassion
Open mind
Dedication to helping animals
Work and play well with others
Willingness to do whatever needs
done
• Commitment
The Volunteer Experience
• Long hours
• ‘Less than ideal’ working
conditions
• Fast-paced
• Accommodations vary
• Physically and
emotionally taxing
The Volunteer Experience
• Develop a range of clinical and interpersonal skills
• Work with dedicated team of skilled professionals
• Utilize initiative, self-reliance, and adaptability
• Experience rewards of helping
animals and people in need
“I choose to volunteer for these trips
because I have seen the impact that
simple education and kindness can have
on communities in need . . .
it begins with the child who rides his bike
over a mile with a puppy in his backpack
just so the dog can receive care.”
How Many Surgeries Will I Do?
• You may do surgery
– Students must demonstrate proficiency
– Priority is patient care and clinic ops
• You WILL
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Care for animals in need
Educate clients
Gain physical examination skills
Learn anesthesia and intensive care skills
Experience life in poor rural communities
Volunteer Requirements
• Preparation / Training = IMPORTANT
– Commitment to preparation and practice
– Online training evaluation
– Practical skills assessment
• Expenses
– Travel to/from meeting site & lodging prior to and
on return from trip
– Surgical gloves and personal equipment
– Fundraising/sponsorship commitment
Clinic Schedule
• Approximately 10 U.S. field clinics will be
scheduled in 2015
• The 2015 clinic schedule will be available in
mid November 2014
• Applications accepted when schedule is posted
www.ruralareavet.org
Applying to Volunteer
• Read the entire website carefully
• Submit an online application for specific trip (s)
• Selection process - not on a first-come basis
– Prior experience, year in school, operational needs
– Opportunities for students of all levels
• If accepted to participate, meet all deadlines and trip
requirements on time!
CONTACTING HSVMA-RAVS
“Those 2 weeks were perhaps the hardest of
my life, but every moment was worth it.
Every moment I was learning something,
even if it was not medical at all. . . ”
“I came away knowing that I wanted to
continue to do this kind of work in my future
career because the impact it had on
individuals and communities was incredible.”
www.ruralareavet.org