Providing Needed Vet Care Through Project Samana

Founded in 1993, Project Samana is an outreach organization that sends veterinarians and support staff to the Dominican Republic three times a year to provide medical care to animals in need. The Dominican Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the people there still rely heavily on pack animals like horses, mules, and donkeys. Cats and dogs also provide companionship to many people, particularly children. Unfortunately, the people of the DR do not always have the resources or knowledge to properly care for their animals. That’s where Project Samana comes in. They provide not only medical care, but educational opportunities to teach animal owners the importance of proper care for their animals.

The Village Vets has been involved in this project since 2015 when we sent our first group, but our connection goes even further.

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Our Connection to Project Samana

Our hospital director and veterinarian at our Stone Mountain location, Dr. Carrie McColgan, made her first journey with Project Samana in 2003, after graduating from veterinary school. She continued to be involved with the organization over the years, and in 2018, she became Project Samana’s president. All locations of The Village Vets now have close ties with Team Samana, and we send staff members with them every year.

How We Help Animals in Need

The main mission of Project Samana is treating animals in need, particularly the horses, donkeys, and mules that residents rely on so heavily in their everyday lives. These animals play a vital role in culture and well-being for their owners, so we focus our efforts heavily on them. However, the team also makes time to care for the cats and dogs of the Dominican Republic. Taking care of these companion animals not only helps residents develop deeper relationships with these animals; it also helps control the cat and dog population, which could have devastating impacts on natural wildlife if left to proliferate.

The services we offer to these animals include:

For horses, mules, and donkeys:

  • Castration for stallions
  • Dental care (mouth and tooth diseases are a serious problem)
  • Lameness evaluations and treatment
  • Senior horse care
  • Wound care for injuries

For cats and dogs:

  • Spay and neuter surgeries
  • Vaccinations (particularly rabies)
  • Treatment for parasites
  • Basic medical care for wounds or injuries
  • Donated collars and leashes for dogs
  • Post-surgical medication for at-home recovery
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Education for Residents

Project Samana makes animal care its priority both while we’re in the Dominican Republic and after we’ve gone. We take time to educate and empower the community to better care for their animals themselves. Healthier animals directly correlate to a better livelihood for people.

Our educational outreach programs include:

  • Education for residents about parasite control, basic first aid, nutrition, and animal husbandry
  • Sponsorship of local animal health seminars in the community
  • Medical and surgical training to students and veterinarians from Dominican schools

Interested in learning more about Project Samana, or want to get involved yourself? Please visit projectsamana.org, inquire at your next appointment, or simply give us a call at your convenience.