VetTrek - Day 6

Saturday December 5, 2010

Located on the edge of Habana Vieja, in the Tallapiedra district, is the
Cochera Equina (Equine Garage).

The horses and coachmen of Habana Vieja begin their days here...
receiving assignments and purchasing feed .

This is an area that tourists seldom see.

This was the final "working" day of our visit.
Dr.Travers put into practice theoretical presentations given a few days earlier at the
first Cuba Canada Veterinarian's Day.
Lameness tests, hoof tests, wormings and more.

Photo:Susan Hurlich
And boy was there more.
Dr. Carlos Yrurzun proves he knows his horses ...nose to tail.

Dr.Travers with members of the Agrarian University Faculty.

Ezequiel Palacios Coto the cochero of carriage 52 was very appreciative of our visit.
He invited us to join him and his horse for a complementary tour of Habana Vieja.

But first a visit with John Lennon

and a check up for Susana's cats.

The check ups included physicals, vaccinations, nail trimming, ear cleaning and the application of an anti-parasitic.
Susana and Gladys are both great cat lovers.
I have to be sure their kitties are healthy before I can ask them to help others.

We arrived at the Capitolio at the appointed time for our tour.
Again with Ivomec at the ready we manage to fill an some idle moments deworming coach horses.

Should you find yourself in front of the Capitolio thinking of taking a coach tour
look for Ezequiel and CP52.
He cares for and loves his horses. They are in very good condition.
Say Hola from Terry and the Spanky Project.

I am please to confirm there will be a second annual
Cuba Canada Veterinary Day.
The Consejo Cientifico Veternary de Cuba has set the date for
December 1, 2011.
This will be the highlight of a week full of collaborations.


Click on the envelope to send a message - you would be interested in participating..

VetTrek - Day 1

Our first day was one of "greetings & orientation"

After a roof top breakfast at our hotel we were off to our first official event.

We delivered over $7,000 worth of supplies to our sponsoring Cuban counterpart -
Society for Heritage, Community and the Environment (SPCMA)
Sociedad Patrimonio, Comunidad y Medio Ambiente
Pictured from let to right ...
Ana Lourdes Sotto - Directora Ejecutiva
Ulice Acosta Llanes -Especialista Principal en Cooperación Internacional
Fernando Gispert, DMV - Veterinarian Laika Clinic
Susana Hurlich the Spanky Project's Havana Coordinator and translator

SPCMA is a Cuban not for profit organization that concerns itself with “the preservation, rehabilitation, management, development and promotion of the historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the City of Havana, and in the community and environmental issues that affect the City.”

After introductions and welcoming words it was down to the paperwork.
All the supplies we brought to Cuba were documented for importation and now were signed over to SPCMA for use during our visit and into the future.

After our morning event we walked to the nearby
Jarden del Oriente.
(Amargura No. 12, e/ Mercaderes y Oficio)
This shaded courtyard eatery is few steps from Plaza de San Francisco de Asis.


It has been a favourite of mine for simple, well-priced meals.

As you can see, this eatery is frequented by a number of cats.
The Spanky Project has put forth the prospect of implementing the Cat Café
concept at Jardin del Oriente.

After lunch we strolled to Clinica Veterinaria Laika.
It is located near the train station on the western edge of La Habana Vieja

Out front was a gentleman with his goat that was suffering from a skin condition.

Clinica Laika is a full service veterinary location.

Dr.Gispert explained the work that is being done in the clinic and with the
community outreach programs.
One program is the "Comisión de esterilización".
I will expand on this later but in short, they are reducing the number of strays in
La Habana Vieja.

The clinic is open seven days a week to serve the community.
The two veterinarians, along with the technicians, do great work with limited resources.

This was an event filled week.

Coming soon-
Day 2 - San Miguel de Pedron - sterilization campaña
Finca Vigia / Museo Hemingway

Day 3 - First Annual Cuba Canada Veterinarians Day
Conference at Consejo Cientifico Veterinario de Cuba
Visit to Clinic Veterinaria José Luis Callejas
Visit to Quinta de los Molinos
Day 4 - Presentation of SPCMA programs
Day 5 - La Habana Vieja sterilization campaign
Day 6 - Early morning workshop with Cochero's and their carriage horses