How many boxes does it take to build a veterinary clinic?

August 3, 2024

Emily Ward, AVC 2025, travelled to Nain and Postville as one of the student participants on the Chinook Project. As part of the experience, the students craft various pieces of writing.

How many boxes does it take to build a veterinary clinic?

Turns out, about 10. It takes about 10, stuffed to the brim, mostly held together by duct tape, action-packer-sized boxes to set up a functional clinic that can perform basic surgeries and treat common medical conditions for nearly 200 dogs and cats. Also needed—approximately 5 eager final year veterinary students and 3 experienced veterinarians. Oh, and for an efficient, well-run clinic? A team of incredible local volunteers is key.  

One of my goals for this experience was to gain a better understanding of the logistics of outreach veterinary medicine and learn to work effectively within this type of work. From this trip, I learned that we can do a lot with limited supplies, community support is essential to having a positive impact, and logistical challenges can bring out the strengths in a team. 

The Chinook Team in Postville

Upon arrival to our first clinic in Nain, I remember looking at the 10 boxes piled in the hockey arena entryway and thinking to myself, “Is this enough? Aren’t we scheduled to see over 100 patients?” But as we began unpacking boxes, sorting supplies, and organizing the space into a logical sequence, a functional clinic began to form. Despite not having all of the specialized equipment and diagnostic modalities most of us were accustomed to, it was perfectly suited to meet the needs of the communities we visited. Our medical appointments were held in the locker rooms of the hockey arena which gave us a quiet space to talk with the owners, complete thorough physical exams, and administer vaccines. Our surgical area was equipped with two induction and surgery tables which allowed us to perform multiple surgeries at the same time and work efficiently to prepare for the next procedure. We were thoughtful in how we used our supplies to minimize waste and ensure that we had enough for all of the planned appointments. By coordinating as a team to strategically utilize space and resources, we were able to perform 80 surgeries and over 100 medical appointments in just 7 clinic days. 

Throughout the trip, I was amazed by the support we received from each community. Our local coordinators and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure we had all the supplies we needed, and we could not have seen the number of animals we did without their help. They greeted people arriving at the clinic, filled out paperwork, communicated with owners throughout the day, pitched in with cleaning, kept our team fed and happy, and so much more. For the community, they served as a familiar face that offered support and reassurance for the owners of each animal. The local volunteers were essential in maintaining efficiency and building trust between us and the community.

As a team, it was impressive to see how the logistical challenges of this trip brought out our strengths. We relied on every member of the team to get tasks done from the beginning to the end of each day. Ultimately, our biggest logistical challenge was having enough people to get things done rather than the limited space or supplies. As a result, we needed to think multiple steps ahead, be flexible and willing to help out wherever needed, and prioritize the wellness of the entire team. In this environment, we transformed into a team that was able to communicate effectively, maintain positivity, and excel in our work. 

I am immensely grateful for everything I learned from the people and animals I worked with on this trip and look forward to applying my knowledge to future outreach medicine projects.