AR-News: News About AVAR Student Chapter at Western University

[סמדר]

From:  interniche-l at interniche.org

All is not black in veterinary schools re: harmful animal use; look what the students at Western U are doing, below. This newest US vet school in Los Angeles was founded, amongst other progressive principles, on a “reverence for life” philosophy, and harms *NO* animals throughout its curriculum.

 

Andrew Knight

 

FYI ... news release from Western University of Health Sciences about AVAR 
Student Chapter group who is rescuing unwanted dogs and cats at the school.

http://wsprod.westernu.edu/wu/newsreleases/nr_detail.jsp?id=2082

VetMed Club Cares About Unwanted Dogs, Cats
April 14, 2004 Contact Name :
News Release :
      They have names like Mona Lisa, Pretty Girl, Tula, Punk, Timex and
General Patton.
      What makes them unique, beyond their names, are that they are all
animals once homeless and wandering on Pomona's streets but now living
with loving families thanks to a group of students at Western University
of Health Sciences.
      WesternU Companion Animal Rescue, better known as WeCARe, is a
division of the student chapter of the Association of Veterinarians for
Animal Rights. The group is made up of College of Veterinary Medicine
students with the goal of decreasing the homeless and unwanted animal
population in Pomona.
      In the short time the group has been working, 52 dogs and cats --
and even a pot-bellied pig named Petey -- have been fostered and united
with new owners. A few birds and some rabbits remain in need of homes.
      WeCARe was initially formed because of all the animals that were
found on the streets and brought into the College of Veterinary Medicine.
      "We wanted to make sure that these animals were provided the best
care such as flea control and vaccinations as well as any medical care
they needed," says WeCARe co-chair Megan Calinsky. "Also, we wanted to
make sure that any lost pets were reunited with their families. We came
to the conclusion that the best way to accomplish that was by learning
how to form our own rescue organization."
      The club's first pet project -- and inspiration for the group's
formation -- was a pit bull discovered darting in and out of traffic on
Palomares Street near campus.
      Concerned, member Jaimie Washburn went to the dog, calmed her down
and removed her from the street.  Once she realized that the dog was only
scared and disoriented, Washburn picked the dog up and brought her into
the CVM building.
      "Many people at the school gathered around to help her," Washburn
says.  "She went home with a vet student who fell in love with her right
away.  Lily is now a happy part of the student's home and is doing well."
      Since then, some dogs have been discovered abandoned in a parking
lots at WesternU, while others have been found wandering on the street or
injured by cars. All are accepted with open arms.
      "We hope to remove the numbers burden on the local animal shelters,
one stray animal at a time," Washburn says.
      Working with the local animal shelters and rescue organizations is a
key component to WeCARe's mission. When an animal is found, students use
all avenues available to reunite the lost pet --  newspaper lost and
found ads and shelter notifications with photos and fliers.  WeCARe is
committed to collaboration and seeks to capitalize on what other
organizations do well rather than reinvent the process, its members say.
      When efforts to locate the owners fail, the dogs or cats join the
lives of the students or anyone else willing to take them home. "You're
so excited when you find someone who loves them," Washburn says.
      Washburn has had six foster pets herself. And while all were
special, one little Chihuahua found her heart. His name is Foster 50 and
like the name denotes, he was the club's 50th rescue.
      "A part of me fell in love with each one of those animals but I
figured as long as I could keep placing the animals in good homes I could
continue to help more animals in need of a foster home," Washburn says.
      Foster was abandoned by his family and WeCARe was contacted to pick
him up and save him from being euthanized.  Washburn picked him up from
the shelter one day after school.
      "When I got him out of the cage, he leaned his head on my shoulder
and I think we both knew," she says.  "He fits right into my life and
still allows me to bring home other foster animals so I don't have to
stop helping all the others."
      In addition to their academic workload, the students make animals a
priority in their lives.
     "Whether it's my pet or a stray dog, he or she still deserves my love
and attention," Washburn says.
      The club's mission fits well with the college's reverence for life
philosophy, which  focuses on engendering compassion and respect for all
living things throughout the students¿ education.
      "It's all a learning experience," says member Paige Heywood, who
adopted Petey the pig.
      As the group continues to evolve, members are working to create a
foster care data base on campus as well as a listing of those animal
lovers willing looking to adopt a new family member.


Pam Runquist
Director of Companion Animal Issues
Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
PO Box 208
Davis, CA 95617-0208
Tel: (530) 759-8106
pam at avar.org



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