Happy Holidays from UC Davis VERT and sVERT

As 2022 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect and thank everyone for their support. Our team is proud to have served our communities and trained a new generation of veterinarians.

Training is crucial to ensure we provide the best veterinary care to animals affected by emergencies and disasters. Our goal is to improve the welfare of the animals, help communities recover and bring hope to those who are impacted. Our work champions the concept of One Health, recognizing the interconnections between the health of animals, people, and our environment.

We are grateful to the veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students that volunteered and trained with us. We thank the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the One Health Institute for providing encouragement and support; and we thank everyone behind the scenes that enables our team to bring compassion to those in need.

We send a shout-out to all organizations and agencies that work with us in trainings and response to emergencies and disasters.

We also extend our sincere thanks to UC Davis VERT donors, whose support is vital to our efforts. These include countless private donors, foundations, professional organization partners, industry groups, and many animal rescue groups.

We wish you a happy holiday season!

Lais R. R. Costa

Coordinator and Director of Operations

UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT)

Training Future Veterinarians to be First Responders in Disasters and Small Incidents

Veterinary student members of the student Veterinary Emergency Response Team (sVERT) Club enroll in the three levels of training: Special Studies Program Levels 1 (beginner), Level 2 (intermediate), and Train-the-Trainer. The programs include becoming disaster service workers, lectures, training with the UC Davis Fire Department, and dry labs with stations to practice various skills. Training takes place throughout the year.

Airlift Training with NVDAG, Butte County Sheriff's Helicopter and EMS Crews

UC Davis VERT participated in the Butte County annual equine helicopter rescue exercise in June 2022. We have worked with the North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG) and Butte County for several years as we responded to mutual aid requests in Butte County. In the last two years we have participated in trainings organized by NVADG.

Statewide Earthquake Exercise

For the first time, UC Davis VERT was invited to participate in the two-day Sentinel Response multi-agency, full-scale earthquake response exercise hosted by The California Army National Guard-CBRN Task Force and Cal/OES Fire Rescue Branch.

Equine Airlift from Ravine at Western States Trail

In July, UC Davis VERT responded to a request to rescue a horse that had fallen off the Western States trail during the Tevis Cup. The hillside where the horse had fallen was very steep, and the forest floor was very unstable, making it impossible for the horse to stand. UC Davis VERT worked with several groups and agencies, including the Tevis Cup veterinary team, CAL-FIRE, Placer County Fire Department, Nevada County Fire Department's Large Animal Rescue Team, Butte County Sheriff Helicopter Crew, and NVADG to complete a successful rescue.

Responding to the Mosquito Fire

UC Davis VERT was activated by the Yolo County Office of Emergency Services to deploy to the Mosquito Fire in September. Veterinary care was provided at three large animal shelters and one small animal shelter in El Dorado County.

Disaster Preparedness Clinic

UC Davis VERT engaged in outreach activities around disaster preparedness in communities. In November, UC Davis VERT was invited to provide veterinary oversight at a microchip clinic in the community of Rio Vista.

Horses and Wildfires

Learn more about disaster preparedness and emergency response by UC Davis VERT and the UC Davis veterinary hospital in the fall issue of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health's Horse Report. Download an updated version of the equine emergency preparedness poster.

Walking through Fire to Save 65 Horses | OnStar Podcast

Dr. Lais Costa shared her expertise on how to safely evacuate horses, chickens, house cats, and even llamas, in this podcast recounting a large animal evacuation during the CZU Lightning Complex fires near Felton, CA. Listen here.