Sept. 13, 2005
AU vets to help provide animal care in Louisiana
A team of Auburn University veterinarians will travel to Baton Rouge, La., over coming weeks to assist in the care of animals affected by Hurricane Katrina.
"Nine of our veterinarians will help provide shelter and care for pets that have traveled with their owners from flooded areas and for rescued animals," said Dr. David Whitley, head of AU's Department of Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dean (Timothy) Boosinger is pleased to provide support, and the university administration is giving them time off for the trip."
The dean of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine sent a request last week to veterinary schools and associations seeking assistance.
"It is during times of adversity and tragedy that people must come together," LSU veterinary Dean Michael Groves stated in the e-mail request. "The School of Veterinary Medicine, along with state and local animal organizations, wants to do our part by caring for as many animals as possible. Please help us in our efforts."
Auburn veterinarians will help provide care for dogs and cats at either the Parker Coliseum on the LSU campus or at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La., where animals are being sheltered. They will also help with horses being kept on the LSU veterinary campus.
Those volunteering are Drs. Julie Waldrop, Herris Maxwell, Soren Rodning, Jennifer Taintor, John Schumacher, Mary Lynn Higginbotham, Jeffery Simmons, Lisa Tieber-Nielson, Earl Gaughan and other veterinarians and technicians who have the opportunity. They will travel in groups of three to six for each trip, with the number being determined at the time. The first group is set to leave Thursday, Sept. 14, and return Saturday, Sept. 17.
The Auburn team will work with LSU veterinarians, the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, the Louisiana Animal Control Association, and the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Public donations can be made to the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association by calling 1-800-524-2996 or (225) 928-5862. A donation form is also available at its Web site at www.lvma.org. Checks or money orders can be made payable and sent to the Dr. Walter J. Ernst Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation (write Disaster Relief Fund on the memo line), 8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
