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Veterinary Medical Assistance
Team (VMAT) members examine two bull terriers at a field
hospital set up after Hurricane Charley in Florida. VMAT-3
Team photo
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Animals Need Help
When Disaster Strikes
By Sara Bondioli
Most people are familiar with disaster relief groups that bring supplies and aide to humans who have just weathered a natural disaster, but few think about the pets, livestock and wildlife that also need help. One University of Missouri-Columbia veterinary medicine professor is part of a team designed to address the needs of animals in those situations.
Marie Kerl, MU clinical
assistant professor of small animals
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“After the Sept. 11 attacks, I felt
really helpless and that led me to investigate what I could do
and how I could help, so I joined a Veterinary Medical Assistance
Team (VMAT),” said Marie Kerl, MU clinical assistant professor
of small animals. “I had learned about the VMATs and the
assistance they gave to search and rescue animals working in
the rubble of the World Trade Center towers. I was looking for
an opportunity to volunteer in an area where I could be effective.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association's VMATs work with other federal disaster teams in areas affected by natural disasters, terrorist attacks and other emergencies. The teams are composed of veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other disaster response specialists. The role for VMATs was established in 1993 as part of the Federal Response Plan. The first teams formed in 1996. Since then, the four teams have grown from 15 members each to more than 60 members each.
The teams are activated by the federal government under the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to assisting local veterinary communities, VMAT members are trained to assist with food and water safety as well as zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transferred between animals and humans. VMATs also have been sent to care for Secret Service dogs and police horses at events such as the G-8 Summit and the Republican National Convention.
Jori Miller, left, and
Jim Hamilton examine a horse injured during Hurricane Charley.
VMAT-3 Team photo
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Kerl is part of VMAT-3, which is based in North Carolina. Team members come from across the country, including Florida, New York and Colorado. Part of Kerl's team was deployed to Florida after Hurricane Charley in August. Although Kerl did not go, she was sent to her team's base in North Carolina to prepare for deployment after Hurricane Frances. Once the hurricane hit, the damage did not warrant the use of the disaster team.
“Dr. Kerl is part of the tremendous
variety of talent on our team,” said Jim Hamilton, VMAT-3
team commander. “Her energy and determination help elevate
the team and get our difficult job done. We need more people
like Dr. Kerl on our team.”
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Last Update:
November 15, 2007
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