Dr. Cliff Redford is a passionate veterinarian that has traveled the world for the sake of serving to animals. With his expertise in volunteering across the globe, he knew he needed to get to Ukraine when the devastating conflict started.
Dr. Cliff owns a veterinary apply in Ontario, Canada, however his love for his work has no borders. He has traveled to international locations together with Egypt, India, Jamaica, and now even Poland and Ukraine.
Not solely does Dr. Cliff journey to areas of the world that want veterinary assist, however his daughter comes alongside for the experience as properly. Emily is at present in coaching to grow to be a vet tech, however she has been her dad’s trusted assistant on lots of his adventures.
When the affect of the Russian invasion in Ukraine started to unfold, Dr. Cliff instantly bought involved with an animal group that was at present engaged on the Polish border. He had established plans to set off to Poland throughout the week, and he knew his daughter Emily could be the proper one to accompany him.
Facebook
Emily was backpacking round Europe when she obtained the decision from her dad asking her to hop on a aircraft and meet him in Poland. These two by no means shrink back from an journey, so it was a simple sure for the vet tech in coaching.
Some have questioned Dr. Cliff’s resolution to deliver his daughter alongside to Poland and Ukraine, however each have said how necessary this mission was to every of them. Emily can be now 21 years outdated and has seen extra of the world than most, so the 2 knew they might stick by one another’s aspect and get the job achieved.
Facebook
From the second the 2 touched down on the Polish border, it was time to get to work! The Polish border was an evacuation level for Ukrainian residents and their pets, and lots of of them required therapy after their exhausting mission to security. There have been rows of tents set as much as look after anybody that wanted assist, every full of expert volunteers providing help.
Many of the canine crossing the border have been dehydrated, hungry, exhausted, injured, and traumatized. Many had been touring alongside their homeowners for days, witnessing the identical traumatic occasions as everybody else.
“We mostly saw exposure to the elements, hunger, and dehydration. There were some animals with burns and lacerations and one with a bullet in its spine.” – Dr. Cliff
Once these pets reached the stations on the Polish border, it was time for the vet workforce to step in and supply their expert help. This included providing fluids to dehydrated pets, tending to any wounds or lacerations, providing meals and water to fill their bellies, placing sweaters on chilly animals, and vaccinating pets in order that they may very well be accepted into different international locations.
Facebook
For two weeks Dr. Cliff and Emily labored lengthy days with restricted assets, however their mission was about to get much more intense. They have been about to make the drive into Lviv, Ukraine, to drop off provides and supply vet care to one of many shelters within the metropolis.
Dr. Cliff describes the expertise of driving into Ukraine as completely surreal. Photos and movies of his journey spotlight the devastation this nation has endured and the trauma every citizen and animal must work by means of as time goes on.
Facebook
Thankfully for everybody on this journey, they made it protected and sound to the shelter in Lviv and dropped off 500lbs of animal meals. The shelter is at present caring for over 300 animals, 150 of which have been displaced for the reason that conflict started.
We can’t start to think about how tough of a mission this was for Dr. Cliff and Emily, however they nonetheless describe the expertise as heartwarming and provoking.
Facebook
Dr. Cliff is now again to work in Canada, however he continues to advocate for the numerous organizations on the bottom in Ukraine and the encompassing borders. He remains to be elevating funds and consciousness for the numerous animal advocates he labored with, and he could even return to Ukraine and Poland within the following months to supply extra assist.
“We are still trying to get the attention of air Canada re getting a cargo plane to Poland and returning with 100 dogs and 50 cats. We have support from federal, provincial, and municipal politicians as well as the OVMA. We just need a ride.” – Dr. Cliff
Dr. Cliff can be attempting to rearrange a flight from Poland to Canada for 150 animals, and he’s working to realize the eye of Air Canada and another organizations that might assist. If you wish to sustain together with his work going ahead, we urge you to observe his Facebook right here.
Facebook
Other vets at present working in Ukraine or on the Polish border embrace Dr. Lachlan Campbell and Dr. Andrew Kushnir. You can sustain with their work on Instagram.
Thank you, Dr. Cliff and Emily, to your bravery and dedication to the numerous furry associates around the globe!
Image Source: Facebook & Instagram
