36 THE NEW BARKER
In 2007, a University of Florida student 
asked Dr. Amy E. S. Stone if she would 
help him with a project he was trying to 
launch in his homeland. Dr. Stone, who is 
the Clinical Associate Professor at the 
University of Florida College of 
Veterinary Medicine, agreed to be an 
advisor. The student, who grew up in 
Roatán, Honduras, wanted to provide no 
cost spay neuter surgeries there. 
    Not all of the dogs roaming the streets 
in Honduras are stray. Even though some 
may belong to someone as either a pet or 
guard dog, they are allowed to roam. 
Street dogs, also known as Aguacateros (a 
dog from the street) and potlickers must 
learn to fend for themselves. As a result, 
they tend to be scrappy, intelligent, and 
adaptable — all skills that support inde-
pendent survival. Because many have 
never had to rely on humans, they may 
also be fearful or skeptical of people who 
have not earned their trust.  
    It took less than a year to organize the 
project through the University’s new-
found 
Students 
for 
International 
Veterinary Opportunities (SIVO). The 
student had his connections in Honduras. 
He was also able to partner with a small 
veterinary clinic there. Students in the 
University’s veterinary medicine program 
were enthusiastic about traveling to 
Honduras and volunteering.“We were in 
a storefront with no fans, no electricity,” 
Dr. Stone recalls. “It was chaotic and crazy 
hot. We were worried about people 
passing out.”  
    Spay neuter stations were set up, com-
plete with an intake desk, anesthesia table, 
prep area, medicine staffing, vaccine 
protocol, and recovery tables. The organ-
izers learned a lot during that first 
excursion – location being one of the 
most important.  
    They set up, performed surgeries and 
broke down in three different locations. 
In addition to the obvious time con-
straints, workload, and other inefficien-
cies, there was the issue of fuel availability. 
They also faced some pushback from the 
locals not trusting the “gringos.” The 
team also discovered that some govern-
ment officials did not realize that cats 
could contract rabies, nor were they 
familiar with zoonotic diseases. As the 
excursions became an annual event, 
another issue developed. Some unscrupu-
lous government officials wanted to 
intercept the medicine that shipped in 
prior to the team arriving, to sell on the 
black market. Now, someone from the 
team is always with the supply of meds – 
from take off to final destination.  
    Nineteen years later, the locals are 
happy to see the volunteers return.  
About 25 to 30 students participate in the 
annual excursions.The students face real 
world situations with limited resources. It 
is an experience that stays with them 
throughout their veterinary careers.  
    Each year during the 4th of July 
weekend, practitioners and students raise 
money for SIVO. They may occasionally 
receive funding from the University of 
Florida, but mostly they count on the 
alumni to help them with donations.They 
also do smaller events throughout the 
year to help raise funds, like dog washes 
and their annual Pints for Pups. Dr. Stone 
said their biggest need is supplies – espe-
cially medicine. 
    Even though their aim is not high 
volume – their caseload average is 227 
dogs and 50 cats per visit – Dr. Stone feels 
certain they’re making a difference. 
Avoid the Comfort Zone 
At All Costs And Focus 
On Necessity
by Anna Cooke
A street dog in Honduras
Dr. Stone and Luna
Amy E.S. Stone, DVM, PhD, ACVPM 
Clinical Associate Professor 
Primary Care & Dentistry Services 
UF College of Veterinary Medicine 
www.VetMed.UFL.EDU 
Students for International Veterinary 
Opportunities (SIVO) is an academic 
program and non-profit effort of 
veterinary students and doctors at 
the University of Florida.  
https://ufsivo.square.site/
U
*Headline quote: Mwanandeke Kindembo

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