2013 Northwest BC Project
Canadian Animal Assistance Team in Northwestern British Columbia
By Kris Burns, RVT
Rising out of bed I feel the damp, cool air on my face. It is 5:30am and the sun has not closed its heavy eyes from the day before. Ready to start my day, I step out of my tent and absorb the sounds of nature. The mist is lifting from the land, slowly revealing the coastal mountain ranges that surround me, and the headwaters of the salmon rivers winding in between. I am in awe of this land, of this untouched, beautiful landscape. I am witnessing the beauty of the northwest corridor of British Columbia, learning about the culture and the traditions that protect these respected lands.
Am I on vacation? In a way, yes, in many ways, no. I am waking to start my day as a volunteer of the Canadian Animal Assistance Team. We are here to provide veterinary care to communities in need, communities where veterinary medicine is found hours and hours away.
The Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) is an organization that started providing veterinary care and disaster relief work during the aftermath of Hurricane Katerina in 2005. Donna Lasser, a veterinary technician in Vancouver, founded the organization, identifying a need for veterinary care in areas of extreme need. The hurricane had left many animals injured, without a family, and without a home. Seeing the extent of the damage, Donna called upon veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and veterinary assistants to volunteer their time, skills, and knowledge. This volunteer association is now made up of volunteers across the country and they have dedicated more than 4500 hours to CAAT’s efforts last year alone.
On this trip to British Columbia, we focused on the three communities who had requested our assistance: Fraser Lake/Stellaquo, Burns Lake, and Kitwanga, of whom are First Nations communities in the northwest division of this province. Our trip started in Fraser Lake where we were introduced to the proud community of Stellaquo. I had been on a CAAT trip before, but I could not have anticipated the intense appreciation this community offered us. The entire village clearly loved animals; pets were part of their families and their daily routines. With a lack of accessible pet care, their dog and cat population boom was inevitable. We spent a significant amount of time with the people of this community, as they were incredibly involved in the process and eager to acquire education regarding responsible pet ownership. Making it clear that they appreciated our presence, we were constantly being thanked; we were thanked with words, thanked with trust, and most of all we were thanked with food! The community came together to assist us in our efforts, providing as much as they could to make our 12-15 hour days enjoyable. This community had an exceptional number of cats, a rarity when so many dogs roam the village. By the end of our 3 working days, we were sad to leave, but excited to see what awaited us in Burns Lake. Our adventures continued as we hopped into our slightly run down van, and hoped it would carry us to the next town.
Surviving the van ride and the lack of radio stations, we immediately set up the community hall in Burns Lake. Little did we know, we were providing services that morning- there was a line formed outside the door!
As one of the Registered Veterinary Technicians on the team, I was literally off to a running start. I was delegated the role of getting the animals from the initial examination phase onto the surgery table. I happily sedated, catheterized, intubated, and prepped 35 animals for surgery that day, with a total of 60 animals being spayed or neutered in the Burns Lake community alone. My skills and techniques were challenged, and I loved every minute of it. Utilizing an anesthetic protocol much different to any Ontario veterinary hospital, my senses and awareness were constantly challenged to support the best outcome throughout surgery.
By 8pm we were all exhausted, stinky, and smiling, knowing that we had a very successful day of surgeries, health checks, vaccinations, and community education. I caught the ferry in our grumbling van and settled into the Lakeside Legacy Bed and Breakfast on Burns Lake. Enjoying my hot shower, hot meal, and the unbelievable sunsets, I was recharged for the next few days.
Throughout these CAAT trips there are many lessons learned along the way, we are reminded daily of our path and why we chose it. Though each community is very different, they show us the same appreciation of our willingness to help them increase the quality of life of their pet and inevitably, their family. It seems so easy to take for granted the availability of pet care in Ontario; in many cities veterinary hospitals are a stone’s throw away from each other. Pet care is sometimes a luxury not available to all and not afforded by many in our country. Going into these villages I bear witness to the intense bond between human and animal, the bond that bring smiles to faces and warmth to hearts. Many individuals struggle everyday to work through life’s challenges, whether it is poverty, mental health, or a lack of family and support. Pet ownership is not a choice to be made lightly, but it is a choice that will change one’s life forever. To own a pet is to increase one’s quality of life, to brighten one’s day, and to create a sense of family and belonging. Having taken part on two of these volunteer trips will forever remind me of my personal goals as an RVT: to provide essential care to animals and advocate for the human animal bond. Despite the long hours, I come away from these trips feeling refreshed and renewed in my profession- a feeling that is difficult to create and even more difficult to shake. Knowing that my efforts have made a positive difference in the lives of these pet owners has continued to grow within me.
There are so many volunteer opportunities to be involved in as an RVT or a veterinarian in Canada, we so quickly forget that we can continue to influence the lives of others. Our time spent volunteering does not go to waste but instead creates awareness and positive pet ownership.
I strongly encourage everyone to try at least one professional volunteer trip, it will not be regretted! Understanding that this is not an option for everyone in the field, CAAT has created other methods for contributing to their efforts. CAAT accepts Aeroplan Miles to assist with our trips, cash donations, and they are always looking for volunteers for local fundraisers. This year they have even created an opportunity to donate through the purchase of Mabel’s Labels, as well as their “In Memorandum” cards. Whichever way you decide to volunteer, it won’t go unnoticed. Every effort to support CAAT is an effort to further the reaches of veterinary care across Canada.