Texas Has Mobile Vet Emergency Team

A Texas mobile Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) to respond to disasters affecting animals state-wide has been developed by the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. The new team can be deployed under the state animal response plan in a disaster situation that requires additional veterinary assistance.

The 13-member team consists of A&M faculty, veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary students. Their equipment includes two large climate-controlled tents, one multi-purpose trailer and one clinic trailer with limited surgical capability. Team members are divided into strike teams that can be targeted at either large or small animal issues. The teams' first field exercise was held at College Station, Texas, in April, and the team is fully operational in time for the 2010 hurricane season.

Reprinted from Livestock Marketing Association