Dr Ileana Gheorghita - Romania
March 2006
For several years now, Dr Ileana Gheorghita has been collaborating with various Romanian animal welfare organisations to help the homeless animals in her hometown of Galati.
With her extensive experience, and having received prior training with The Humane Society of the United States’ Rural Area Veterinary Services Programme in 2004, Dr Gheorghita used her time at The Mayhew to refresh and hone her surgical skills. For two weeks she underwent intensive training with The Mayhew vet team in quick sterilisation procedures, learning advanced techniques that not only shorten the length of operations but also reduce trauma and health risks to the animals. She also learned to use the gas anaesthesia machine as she was hoping to receive a machine from the United States later in the year. Although she did not speak much English, Dr Gheorghita had many keen discussions with our vets regarding the uses and availability of various surgical materials, as she often has the advantage of receiving supplies through donations from the United States, some of which include veterinary materials that are significantly different from those available in her country.
Since her return to Galati, Dr Gheorghita has been working tirelessly, sterilising dogs in Galati’s city pounds and homeless animals brought in by local community. Between January and May 2006, Dr Gheorghita sterilised around 150 animals (dogs and cats) in total. After our Training Programme she sterilised more than 450 animals between May and September 2006. In 2007, she averaged over 100 animals (neuter and spay operations) per month. In addition, she performs numerous emergency treatments for citizens who could not afford to pay for the care of their pets. Dr Gheorghita is now the most highly trained vet in Galati and she intends to share her knowledge and experience by training other vets who are interested in joining her animal welfare endeavours.