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BARAKI BARAK, Afghanistan - Local veterinarians of Baraki Barak teamed up with the district's sub-governor, Mohammed Yasin Lodin, Unites States Army and Czech Republic soldiers to provide much needed veterinary aid to area livestock at the Baraki Barak District Center, Oct. 25.
Farmers of all ages attended the veterinarian clinic. Small children toddled along holding ropes tied to the necks of goats big enough to look them in the eyes, while gray bearded men dragged anxious cattle to be vaccinated and examined. The animals were led one at a time to Afghan veterinarians waiting under canopies set up in the grassy common area at the district center.
"At the beginning we didn't have a lot of animals show up," said Army 1st Lt. Erick Malaske, Troop A executive officer with 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. "But then we told some of the local elders, and they went out and gathered up more people."
The large procession of animals included cows, goats, mules and donkeys.
"We helped 492 animals and over 200 villagers," said Army Staff Sgt. Dwaine Hood, Fire Support non-commissioned officer for Able Troop.
Although 3-71 Cav. and Czech soldiers from the Logar Provincial Reconstruction Team provided security and helped direct traffic, the veterinarians were all Afghan and the medications for the animals were bought on the local economy, Hood said.
"Farming and livestock are a huge deal in this area," said Hood. "Many people's whole livelihood is based around their livestock."
"It's important for us to provide for the animals," said Dr. Bashire, a local physician who treats people as well as livestock.
The animals were immunized and treated for an array of ailments.
"Some of the medicine is to increase the animal's appetites," Bashire said.
The treatment of the animals was intended to benefit the farmers and their livestock. But most importantly, the VetCap introduced them to their own local veterinarians, who will be responsible for the medical upkeep of their livestock in the future.
"It shows we care for the local populace and the hard work they do," said Hood, reiterating the fact that many locals depend solely on their livestock for an income.
Although this event was the first of its kind in Baraki Barak, Able Troop hopes it won't be the last this year.
"Our plan is to help as many as we can before the harsh winter," said Hood
| Date Taken: | 11.03.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2009 07:18 |
| Story ID: | 41000 |
| Location: | BARAKI BARAK, AF |
| Web Views: | 302 |
| Downloads: | 245 |
This work, Logar citizens receive veterinary care for livestock for first time in Baraki Barak, by SGT Jaimé Deleon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
