I love my job working for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a field research analyst in zoonotic diseases. I recently attended–in my capacity as certified veterinary technician (CVT)–a three-day seminar at the Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth, Vt., on the rescue of large animals in disaster situations. The seminar was presented by Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez of Clemson University in South Carolina, in association with the Rutland Area Humane Society. It was designed for the benefit of horse owners, fire departments, animal rescue personnel, veterinary technicians, and other interested parties.

We listened intently during the slide show and presentation on the equipment and methods used in an emergency, as well as the dos-and-don’ts of large animal rescue, and if necessary, how to humanely euthanize a critically injured animal. Later, participants went outdoors for live rescue demonstrations. With the assistance of the Gimenez team, my partner and I were able to draw some interesting parallels between large animal emergency preparedness and human public health emergency preparedness–particularly the impact on disease control. With that food for thought, we have been able to help pilot new networks between state agencies dealing with human health and services and animal health and resources.

The Gimenez team emphasizes the importance of learning the techniques of the Incident Command System. Since they have toured the country, including various universities and veterinary schools, one begins to wonder if this dynamic duo ever gets tired. Live presentations and hands-on activities are an important part of what they do. Each of the animals is well-trained to tolerate things such as lying down on command or being lifted off its feet. A horse was lifted off the ground to show the proper use of a "sling" in an emergency rescue. The "forward assist" was demonstrated to show how to properly equip a trapped horse that is either standing or down. There was even a horse "flotation device" to assist horses or other livestock trapped in floodwaters. The pièce de rèsistance, however, was an exercise in "mud extrication" in which a llama named Dexter was rescued from a mud pit by designated rescue teams with the help of a backhoe.

The simulated rescues were exciting and fun, but what really mattered was learning knowledge and skills that could be crucial in a real emergency. Disaster preparedness is important for all animals, but especially for equids because of their large size, behavior patterns and types, and the requirements for transporting them. Disasters such as barn fires, hazardous material spills, ice storms, floods, and things as bizarre as sinkholes and train derailments can happen anywhere