The preventive medicine drive organized for World Animal Day proved to be a major success for both pet owners in the community and future veterinary professionals. Dr. Andriena Dominguez, a veterinarian and professor at Xavier University, expressed her satisfaction with the active role played by her students during the event in collaboration with Contreras Clinic.
Dr. Dominguez highlighted that students received a unique hands-on opportunity to apply their knowledge in direct practice, conducting full physical examinations on each patient before administering treatments:
“The students did an outstanding job: they performed physical examinations on every patient, administered dewormers and vitamins, and practiced giving vaccines. They are thrilled to have participated, and we are deeply grateful to Contreras Clinic for providing us with this opportunity.”
The professor explained the significance of this pre-treatment evaluation, as clinical checks—monitoring body temperature, gum color, tick infestation, and heartworm prevention history—made it possible to identify a few animals whose health conditions made them unfit to receive vaccinations that day. Nevertheless, the vast majority of participating pets were in good health.
The Message of World Animal Day: Respect and Care
For Dr. Dominguez, the defining keyword of World Animal Day is “respect”:
“We, as human beings, must respect and care for animals. They are part of our families and are our responsibility. Care is not merely about providing food; it means giving attention, showing love, taking them to the vet, and keeping them healthy. This is our responsibility as human beings.”
The collaboration between Xavier University and Contreras Clinic provided financial relief for local pet owners while enriching the practical training of upcoming veterinarians, who displayed commendable dedication and professionalism.