Palauans of the of the four-legged variety are receiving some special attention during a four-day veterinarian health outreach program that started April 15, 2019, in Koror, Palau. U.S. Army Reserve veterinarians and the Palau Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) teamed up to offer routine animal care including vaccinations, spay and neutering as a part of Exercise Palau.

Exercise Palau is part of Pacific Pathways, an annual U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) operation, demonstrating the U.S. Army’s commitment to the Palau nation, and security cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

“Not only will we be doing the routine spays and neuters, but we will be doing surgeries on animals that need it, and any other sick pets that need treatment,” said Capt. Shareen Burton, a veterinarian with the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, 351st Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).

The veterinarian outreach clinic will help satisfy the high need of animal health care throughout the island country.

“Unfortunately, there is no veterinarian on the island, so the need for veterinarian care, whether it is vaccines, or sick pet exams, or surgeries, is very valuable here,” said Burton.

The high need for animal care has caused a large response from the community.

“We are overwhelmed,” said Lori Colin, founder and volunteer for PAWS. “We have a wait list. I think the vets could work ten days here easily.”

Burton agreed, “unfortunately it is only four days, but it is an action packed four days. We are trying to see as many pets as we can.”

Burton also said that she will be recommending that on future Army missions to Palau the veterinarian health care clinics should last longer to help satisfy the need of the community and to get the most out of the medical training for the Army.

Although the clinic is only four days, the participants hope to leave a legacy of their service. Burton said that the spaying and neutering that is done will help prevent overpopulation of animals on the island and the other medical care will aid the pets and their families. The team of army veterinarians will also be leaving behind medications when they leave the country to help local animals after they are gone.