FEEDBACK FROM CARIBBEAN VETS ATTENDING THE 2009 FLORIDA REHAB WORKSHOPS

Submitted by Karen Eckert, WIDECAST Executive Director (keckert@widecast.org)

Bridget Lee Chow
(nominated by Dennis Sammy, Nature Seekers and WIDECAST Country Coordinator in Trinidad)

University of the West Indies
St Augustine, Trinidad

 Feedback: “Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to attend the Florida Keys Sea Turtle Workshop.  It was very informative, and it was good to meet persons in the field who are very passionate.  I gained new information regarding sea turtles, some of which I can transfer the information to pet turtles, especially the anatomical and surgical lectures given by Dr. Mader and Dr. Wyneken. Thanks again!  ~ Bridget”

Frederic Leveque
(nominated by Eric Delcroix, DIREN, and WIDECAST Country Coordinator in Guadeloupe)

Clinique Veterianire des Orchidees
Guadeloupe, FWI
 

Feedback: (none yet)

Gwendal Le Seach
(nominated by Rozenn LeScao, DIREN, and WIDECAST Country Coordinator in Martinique)

Martinique, FWI

Feedback: (none yet)

Paul Cadogan
(nominated by Andrea Donaldson, NEPA Ecosystems Mgmt Branch, and WIDECAST Country Coordinator in Jamaica)

Denbigh Veterinary Clinic
Clarendon, Jamaica
 

Feedback:  “First of all I would like to thank WIDECAST for the travel grant that defrayed much of the cost of attending this workshop.  It was a great learning opportunity and a pleasant break from my day to day clinical activities. The workshop was well attended and I met a variety of people, including the other WIDECAST-supported Caribbean veterinarians from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Trinidad. I certainly appreciated the way we were welcomed.

As a complete novice to Sea Turtle biology and pathology, I had done some pre-workshop preparations – reading and attending a meeting of the Jamaica Environment Trust in Jamaica at which a documentary was shown. Because of this I was not at a loss as to what was being discussed in the workshop! We were also given DVD’s of last year’s event so I’ll be able to benefit from that, as well.

The organization of the event was very good and the speakers all did very well, keeping your interest and displaying their passion for the animals.  I attended the anatomy and physiology “wetlab” which was really more of a discussion rather than a hands-on exercise, but did get to see some of the necropsied specimens from the other wetlab afterwards and, so got to see a few lesions up close – especially the fibropapillomas. I also was able to visit the hospitalized animals and see them live for the first time up close.

I will certainly endeavour to do what I can to increase awareness of sea turtle conservation here in Jamaica, pass information along to other veterinarians across the island via the JVMA and assist whether directly or indirectly with any clinical cases that may come to our shores. I certainly now have resource persons to call on for advice and help such as Ryan Butts, Dr. Doug Mader and Dr. Jeannette Wyneken. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get them involved in our Caribbean Veterinary Conference next year!

Once again, many thanks for your help and support!  ~ Paul”