Maj. Aaron Larson, left, and Staff Sgt. Marisela Ruedas tend to a dog as part of CNMI Operation Wellness.
VETERINARY services at no cost to pet owners are available on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota as part of CNMI Operation Wellness.
According to the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs, Operation Wellness, which began on June 10 and ends June 28, is a collaboration between the Department of Defense, the Office of the Governor and other CNMI partners. It brings complimentary medical, dental, ancillary, and veterinary services to the CNMI.
Maj. Aaron Larson of the 993rd Medical Detachment Veterinary Services said pet owners can bring their animals to Saipan Southern High School, the Saipan mayor’s dog shelter in As Perdido or the Saipan Humane Society’s Garapan office.
Spay and neuter services are available at SSHS and the dog shelter while animal medical care is provided at the Saipan Humane Society and SSHS.
Veterinary services are not available on June 19 but will resume on June 20 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On June 21, services will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. From June 23-27, services will be provided from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 8 a.m. till noon on June 28.
Larson said as part of Operation Wellness, there are three veterinarians on Saipan, one on Rota, and one on Tinian. A fourth veterinarian will soon be on Saipan, Larson said.
Although no appointment is needed for animal treatment, Saipan Humane Society President Lauren Cabrera encourages residents to go to the SHS website or make a phone call to set up appointments.
“You may wait longer if you walk in,” she said. “[SHS staff] can prepare vaccine and tick medicine ahead of time.”
Larson estimates that he has seen between eight and 10 animals for surgery a day at the SHS Garapan facility. For non-surgical veterinary care, he estimates he sees around 20 pets a day.
Pet owners may be placed on a wait list depending on the availability of veterinarian staff.
“If we can’t do what needs to be done right that minute, we’ve been taking down names and then we call them back and say OK we’re ready,” Larson said.
The medical services provided by Larson and other military staff are free of charge, but the medicine the animal might need could be available for purchase at SHS.
Cabrera is grateful for the services provided by Operation Wellness.
“We’re happy they’re here to help and we’re learning a lot of things,” she said. “We hope to continue this collaboration in the future.”
For more information about Operation Wellness, contact the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs Office at (670) 789-3558/9 or (670) 483-1812/3.
To learn more about SHS, go to saipanhumanesociety.org/, email info@saipanhumanesociety.org or call (670) 838-7387.
