A growing number of veterinarians and veterinary technicians plan trips to Mexico each year but they pack more syringes than suntan lotion. As volunteers for Veterinarios Internacionales Dedicados a Animales Sanos (VIDAS), their itineraries are tightly scheduled with surgeries and health care for pets. The goal of VIDAS, a Spanish word that means “lives,” is to save lives and keep the pet population in check.
   Volunteers, who include veterinary students, veterinarians, and other professionals, go to Mexican towns to provide spay and neuter surgeries and basic health care to pets.
   “After traveling to the area and seeing the stray dog and cat populations, the poor health of the street animals and meeting people who love their pets but cannot afford even basic health care for them, we decided to take on the problem and do what we could to improve the quality of life for these people and animals,” said Ruth Parkin, DVM, vice president of VIDAS. “As veterinary students at the time, we were inspired by the opportunity to learn from Mexican veterinary professionals and share our new knowledge and skills with them. Now, as veterinarians, we aim to help the local veterinarians reach a level of sustainability.”
   VIDAS volunteers say the work in Mexico can be grueling at times, but it provides experienced veterinarians with a change of pace and renews their commitment to the health and wellness of pets.
   “It’s burnout control,” said Hicks, who has worked with veterinary relief groups in Mexico since 1997. “You get out of your comfort zone and do something completely different.”
   Parkin agreed. “On a more personal level… it is good to step ‘out of the box’ for a short time and see what medicine and health care for animals is like in a completely different environment. Being able to help animals who are truly in desperate need is such a rewarding experience and one that reminds us why we wanted to enter this profession to begin with.”
   Students do not get credit for their volunteer work but say it puts class lessons into perspective. “It [provides] great animal-handling experience,” said Cristina Gutierrez, president and founding member of VIDAS.
   In 2007, the group treated more than 700 pets. Over the last three years, VIDAS has treated more than 3,000 pets.
   Gutierrez, who is fluent in Spanish, works with local government officials and veterinarians to plan and promote the clinics in Mexico. Response to the program has been positive, she said. “Our clients have no money to spend on their animals. Some [of these] towns don’t even have a doctor, let alone a veterinarian.”

VIDAS is a nonprofit organization that was started by four Colorado State University veterinary medical students in 2002 with guidance from Lesli Hick, DVM, veterinary manager of the Boulder Humane Society in Colorado.    VIDAS is one of many veterinary volunteer programs, including Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) and World Vets, which enable veterinary professionals to help animals in need.    The Humane Society of the United States, which sponsors RAVS, will host the 14th annual Spay/Neuter Day in the United States in February. Events around the country help heighten awareness about pet population control

   While in Mexico, VIDAS volunteers work in makeshift conditions using basic tools and injectable drugs. “We don’t have any of the luxuries, like high-quality monitoring equipment that we do at CSU, so we’re learning to practice medicine under incredibly rudimentary conditions… It’s been an amazing learning experience” said Ruth Parkin, DVM, VIDAS vice president.
   Hick agrees and added, “I always return with a greater appreciation for what we have here,” she said. “It’s rejuvenating.”
   Gutierrez and Hick say the work is tiring but also gratifying, which has helped VIDAS attract veterinarians, students, and donors. “Everybody we’ve ever brought down wants to go again,” Gutierrez said. “It’s rewarding to see what basic medical care can do, the difference you can make.”