During his Equitarian Initiative trip, Olind helped perform several castrations, a penis amputation due to a tumor, and an umbilical hernia repair. | Courtesy Eli Olind
I had the privilege of representing the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians & Assistants (AAEVT) on an Equitarian Initiative trip to the Navajo and Hopi Nations in Arizona this past September. I worked alongside a team of veterinarians and three veterinary students from the Equitarian Initiative, the staff of Animal Rez-Q run by Glenda Davis, CrVT, along with equine science students from Scottsdale Community College (SCC). Our mission was to provide general wellness (vaccines, Coggins tests, overall checkups), podiatry, dentistry, and surgical care for the Nations’ equids.
Kelly, from Bumble Bee Ranch, in Mayer, Arizona, provided our food for the week, which was a delicious and welcome treat.
The first night, we were honored to be invited to Glenda’s home for a traditional Navajo meal of fry bread and Navajo tacos. After the amazing meal, Glenda invited us into her family hogan (a Ceremonial Structure), where a medicine man told us the story of the Navajo horse. He taught us about the culture and stories of the Navajo and their relationship with the horse, then gave us a blessing for our safety and the safety of our equine patients.
We worked in three locations over the course of one week. The first two days we stayed at St. Michaels Mission, in St. Michaels, Arizona, and worked out of the Fort Defiance Dahozy Rodeo Arena. At this location we performed several castrations, a penis amputation due to a tumor, and an umbilical hernia repair and laid a few cryptorchid studs down for safe evaluation and ultrasound to see if we could find their testicles. We then moved to the Lukachukai Chapter House and worked out of the Lukachukai Rodeo Arena for two days, before finishing up with two days of work at the Hopi Veterinary Clinic.
In these two locations we offered different stations for treatments and evaluations. Each station saw a steady flow of horses. At the dentistry station we performed many extractions. Students gained proficiency in blood draws and physical exams at the wellness station and knowledge in hoof trimming and balancing at the farrier station. The first night at the Hopi Veterinary Clinic, we were treated to a traditional meal of mutton stew, native corn, and a handpicked and dried native tea. It was a great experience to be so welcomed, share traditional foods and stories, and receive a blessing by a medicine man.
I spent the week teaching field anesthesia, intravenous catheter placement, surgical prepping, and sterilization of surgical instruments to the Scottsdale Community students and helped the veterinary students build confidence. Many of the Scottsdale Community students have an interest in equine veterinary medicine and veterinary technology. We had some good discussions on the path and direction toward an equine career. It was great working with their inquisitive minds and helping grow their interest and passion for the profession. I believe some very bright minds are coming up in our industry.
It was a wonderful experience working with a team of veterinarians who support the use of veterinary technicians and support staff to the fullest, ensuring the success of the veterinary practice and elevating patient care. My time with this group solidified my passion for my career path, and I look forward to the possibility of working with them and the Equitarian Initiative again in the future.
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Home / Business Development / Reflections on a Rewarding Equitarian Initiative Trip
Reflections on a Rewarding Equitarian Initiative Trip
I had the privilege of representing the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians & Assistants (AAEVT) on an Equitarian Initiative trip to the Navajo and Hopi Nations in Arizona this past September. I worked alongside a team of veterinarians and three veterinary students from the Equitarian Initiative, the staff of Animal Rez-Q run by Glenda Davis, CrVT, along with equine science students from Scottsdale Community College (SCC). Our mission was to provide general wellness (vaccines, Coggins tests, overall checkups), podiatry, dentistry, and surgical care for the Nations’ equids.
Kelly, from Bumble Bee Ranch, in Mayer, Arizona, provided our food for the week, which was a delicious and welcome treat.
The first night, we were honored to be invited to Glenda’s home for a traditional Navajo meal of fry bread and Navajo tacos. After the amazing meal, Glenda invited us into her family hogan (a Ceremonial Structure), where a medicine man told us the story of the Navajo horse. He taught us about the culture and stories of the Navajo and their relationship with the horse, then gave us a blessing for our safety and the safety of our equine patients.
We worked in three locations over the course of one week. The first two days we stayed at St. Michaels Mission, in St. Michaels, Arizona, and worked out of the Fort Defiance Dahozy Rodeo Arena. At this location we performed several castrations, a penis amputation due to a tumor, and an umbilical hernia repair and laid a few cryptorchid studs down for safe evaluation and ultrasound to see if we could find their testicles. We then moved to the Lukachukai Chapter House and worked out of the Lukachukai Rodeo Arena for two days, before finishing up with two days of work at the Hopi Veterinary Clinic.
In these two locations we offered different stations for treatments and evaluations. Each station saw a steady flow of horses. At the dentistry station we performed many extractions. Students gained proficiency in blood draws and physical exams at the wellness station and knowledge in hoof trimming and balancing at the farrier station. The first night at the Hopi Veterinary Clinic, we were treated to a traditional meal of mutton stew, native corn, and a handpicked and dried native tea. It was a great experience to be so welcomed, share traditional foods and stories, and receive a blessing by a medicine man.
I spent the week teaching field anesthesia, intravenous catheter placement, surgical prepping, and sterilization of surgical instruments to the Scottsdale Community students and helped the veterinary students build confidence. Many of the Scottsdale Community students have an interest in equine veterinary medicine and veterinary technology. We had some good discussions on the path and direction toward an equine career. It was great working with their inquisitive minds and helping grow their interest and passion for the profession. I believe some very bright minds are coming up in our industry.
It was a wonderful experience working with a team of veterinarians who support the use of veterinary technicians and support staff to the fullest, ensuring the success of the veterinary practice and elevating patient care. My time with this group solidified my passion for my career path, and I look forward to the possibility of working with them and the Equitarian Initiative again in the future.
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