We have made the commitment and investment to allow everyone to enjoy the beauties of Ometepe and to participate in our mission for sustainable and responsible living. The restaurant/sitting area has ramped access as do the rooms on the second floor (even if you are not staying up here, the view of the lake is beautiful and it's a great place to read). For the day visitor or dorm user, there is a communal bathroom, shower, and sink designed for easy wheelchair use.
Veterinary Brigades
There is limited access to veterinary care on the island of Ometepe, yet there is a great need. The overpopulation of domestic dogs on Ometepe pose a public health risk to the indigenous communities by increasing the animal-to-human transfer of diseases, such as toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis. In addition, there have been recent reports of an increase in giarda-related illnesses among locals and tourists. Additionally, large populations of nuisance feral animals have a negative impact on tourism, a critical source of income for many people on Ometepe. These communities also depend heavily upon the wellbeing of their domestic livestock and working animals to help sustain their lifestyle, especially with regard to transportation, agriculture and food.
For the past two years, a group of veterinarians and veterinary students from Oregon State University in the United States of America has traveled to Ometepe Island for 10 days to work with Alvaro Molina to provide quality veterinary care and to promote sound animal husbandry techniques to local citizens. The group offers basic preventative health measures to dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs and goats on Ometepe Island. They provide basic veterinary care such as treating bacterial infections, abscesses, minor wounds and similar basic veterinary issues. Additionally, the group offers a limited number of spay and neuter surgeries to clients requesting them. All functions of the veterinary clinic are overseen by US licensed veterinarians with students taking an active role in performing these functions. All services provided to the community are organized and conducted with the help of Alvaro Molina, a Nicaraguan citizen and Ometepe resident and founder of the Fundación Ometepe.
Get Involved
Currently, the group of veterinarians and veterinary students from Oregon State University comes to the island one time per year to offer these invaluable services to the people and animals on Ometepe Island. In the future, the Fundación Ometepe would like to see these services offered at least four times per year. The current veterinary brigade has helped foster a connection between the students and faculty of Oregon State University and the citizens of Ometepe. The trip offers students a valuable hands-on experience working alongside their professors providing quality veterinary care in a location where it is greatly needed and valued. The following is a list of the program goals compiled by Oregon State University.
PROGRAM GOALS
- Provide quality veterinary care and promote sound animal husbandry techniques on Ometepe island.
- Educate the local community about disease prevention methods for the people and their animals.
- Develop partnerships and encourage cross-cultural exchange.
- Share our experience and knowledge gained with the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine community at large.
- Develop a sustainable program integrating human medicine, veterinary medicine, and public health.
- Promote global awareness among Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine students and faculty.
- Provide students the opportunity for clinical skills development and practical veterinary medicine experience in the field.
As you can see, the benefits of this cross-cultural experience are positive, valuable and educational for all involved. These goals prove the significance and impact of the veterinary brigades for not only the people and animals of Ometepe Island, but also the veterinarians and veterinary students. If you are interested in starting a veterinary brigade with your college or university of veterinary medicine or your veterinary practice, please read the following information about the steps required to organize a brigade.
Trips and veterinary brigades can be tailored to fit the needs of the party involved. For example, tourist activities on Ometepe Island and in Nicaragua can be organized. Also, local Nicaraguan veterinarians can also be contracted to assist with the brigade
Sample Documents
Below are sample documents of letters and information that is needed for veterinary brigades that plan to visit Nicaragua. This involves the administrative procedures at customs.
Links
More information can be found at: http://oregonstate.edu/groups/ivsa/index.htm
Pet Talk: Reaching beyond Oregon to help animals
OregonLive, January 5, 2010
Students seek donations for Nicaragua trip, Gazette-Times
Veterinary care for Nicaraguan pets, The Daily Barometer