By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Associate Editor

OSGOOD, Ind. — In an effort to rally funds for a volunteer mission to Romania to help control an overpopulated animal area, a group of Hoosier veterinarians have organized a full day of Amazing Animal Activities on Tuesday, April 30 in Osgood, Ind.

“This is a fundraiser to support a volunteer trip to Romania with World Vets to spay and neuter dogs and cats in an animal overpopulated area,” said Kelli Cobler, veterinarian with the Laughery Valley Veterinary Hospital in Dillsboro, Ind.

Cobler will travel to Romania with Jessica Eckstein, a vet technician also at Laughery Valley Veterinary Hospital and Karen Burkhart, a resident of Greensburg, Ind.

“I first read about World Vets in a veterinary magazine and was inspired by the trips they organize all over the world,” said Cobbler. “After communicating with multiple members of World Vets, I was more determined than ever to support this non-profit organization.”

World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, U.S. and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Spanning 25 countries and six continents, their work addresses veterinary issues, as well as human health issues impacted by zoonotic diseases in developing countries. A zoonotic diseases is caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between (or are shared by) animals and humans. Cobler, Eckstein and Burkhart will focus on controlling the pet population by spaying dogs and cats during their mission to Romania this fall.
Coordinated by the trio of women, the Amazing Animal Activities event on April 30 will feature a police dog bite and narcotic demonstration by Joe Mann; dog agility by Lisa Polazz, DVM; a sheep herding demonstration with Border Collies by Denise Rackley, a local groomer, breeder and vet technician; a mock alpaca show by Tim Wilk, owner of MT Tabor Alpaca Farm; a canine search and rescue exhibition by Indiana Search and Rescue; a cowboy challenge obstacle course by Keith Brown, a local farrier; a cowboy mounted shooting demonstration by Heartland Pacemakers; and archery on horseback by Dana Hotko, an award-winning competitor.

The day of Amazing Animal Activities” will take place at the Ripley County Fairgrounds Saddle Arena in Osgood, Ind.

Demonstrations will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude by 5 p.m. Cobler recommends attendees bring lawn chairs to enjoy the event ringside. Additionally, the Napoleon Country 4-H Club will host a food booth during the event.

Pre-sale tickets for the event are available at the Napoleon State Bank (all locations), State Farm Insurance in Batesville, Ind., and the Laughery Valley Veterinary Hospital. Cost to pre-register is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12 and $8 for 4-H members. Tickets are also available for purchase the day of the event for $12 for adults, and children ages 4-12 are $6.
For additional event information, contact Cobler at812-621-2370 or by e-mail at kccobler@yahoo.com