Dr Victor Diaz - Peru
June 2006
In June 2006 we welcomed Dr Victor Diaz, a young vet from the city of Piura in northern Peru who had been volunteering his time and services at a local animal rescue organisation, Asociación Humanitaria “San Francisco de Asis”. The President of the Asociación recommended Dr Diaz for our Training Programme.
Because Dr Diaz did not speak English, the Training Programme was conducted with the assistance of a volunteer Spanish interpreter. Dr Diaz also spent much of his own time studying the veterinary textbooks we had available to familiarise himself with English veterinary terminology. He impressed everybody at The Mayhew with his passion for animals and desire to learn.
Working with Dr Diaz, our vets discovered significant differences in veterinary practices between the UK and Peru, often accentuated by Dr Diaz’s lack of practical experience as a recent graduate. We learned about the extremely limited conditions he worked in and the very few drugs, materials and equipment he had at his disposal. Training started with the basics: the concept of sterility during operation, the use of gloves or alternatives and the use of basic surgical instruments. We introduced him to some newer and safer surgical techniques, such as the spaying of female cats via flank incision and the use of jugular rather than cephalic veins for blood collection. By the end of the course, Dr Diaz had acquired a solid foundation of veterinary skills.
In Piura, Peru, Dr Diaz continues to volunteer at Asociación Humanitaria “San Francisco de Asis”. He also continues his training with a volunteer Australian vet who visits Piura twice each year.
We continue to hear from Dr. Diaz who has sent us this kind update from Peru:
"I send you a cordial hello and hope that this year brings much success and prosperity to you and all members of the Veterinary Hospital in London. After I returned to Peru I worked in Piura for the association, soon afterwards I managed to attain a job working for the government. Due to all of this activity I have somewhat neglected contact with everyone except with Ms. Rosemary. However I do still have the hope and intentions of working for the association again. Today I am working within our rural community here in Peru, bringing sanitation and lecturing with regards to how to better take care of the animals. I also perform emergency surgery putting into practice what I have learnt, to take care of the animals to the best of my ability. Where ever I go I always comment on how much other countries value animals, giving them as much care as a small child, treating them as rightful members of the family. I will always be very grateful for all you have done for me, and thanks to this great opportunity, I am able through my work to make people of my country more aware of how to better to treat animals."