UF CVM VETS team prepares rescued bear and her cub for release back into the Osceola National Forest after being treated for burns received during the 2007 Bugaboo fires in North Florida. Click here to read the article.
VETS|Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service
The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is a lead member of the Florida State Agriculture Response Team (SART). As a state resource, the veterinary college has been tasked under declared emergencies to assist the state Emergency Support Function 17 response to animal and agricultural disasters.
In partnership with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Division of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the college created the Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (VETS).
The VETS team is a quick strike resource with the key objectives of
1) providing a quick assessment of the veterinary infrastructure
2) assisting operational practices with logistical support and mutual aid
3) establishing a self contained veterinary care triage and aid station
4) providing advanced technical rescue for large animal
The formalization of a team was the result of several ad hoc missions assigned to the veterinary college during the 2004 Hurricane season. The VETS team is an "all hazards, all animals, all the time" disaster response unit composed of volunteer veterinarians, technicians and students who are based at the college.
VETS Team Deployments:
- Hurricane Charley - 2004
- Hurricane Frances - 2004
- Hurricane Jeanne - 2004
- Hurricane Wilma - 2005
- Equine Herpes - South Florida - 2006
- BugaBoo Fires - North Florida - 2007
The team is capable of deploying up to twelve team members and is self contained for food, fuel and medical supplies - enough to last several days.
The VETS team equipment and training has been funded primarily through grants and donations.
For More Information
Please contact John Haven, CVM Director and VETS team leader.