One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my time with the Chinook project was the importance of resourcefulness in medicine; and my best teacher was Sookie, a small dog that was flown in from another community to visit the clinic we had set up in Makkovik.  When Sookie was anesthetized prior to surgery, he stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. Our rustic clinic had access to the basic emergency drugs, but we had no vital, life saving equipment: no ventilators, and no way to breathe for him as we tried to restart his heart.

As I was quick to learn, though, I could fill his lungs for him by breathing into his endotracheal tube.  I spent the better part of the next 3 hours providing his body with oxygen while we attempted to stabilize his condition.  The above picture is of me and other members of the Chinook team with Sookie, once his heart had been restarted and he was breathing on his own.

The following day he visited the clinic before boarding the ferry that took him back to his grateful owners.  He was happy and full of life, and I came out of the experience with skills that I have used on occasion since my return from the North.  I am grateful to Sookie for teaching me and making me a better veterinarian.

(this guest post from Chris is his submission for a writing exercise that requires Chinook students to discuss the significance of a photo taken during their time with the Project–in 250 words or less!)

Life on the “streets” is the way it is for most dogs in Natuashish, and with 800 other dogs to contend with, life is tough; in fact, it is true survival of the fittest, and the stakes are high.  Thus, imagine our delight when, on our arrival at the clinic one morning, we found that three of the most memorable patients seen by the Chinookers of the previous year had found their way back to the fire hall and were doing well!

Farley’s smile (left) implies that the feeling was mutual – perhaps suggesting that, surprisingly, their excitement at receiving our treats far outweighed any negative memories associated with their operations the previous year.  The scars on Blue Eye’s face (right) are a testament to the battles fought by these dogs, and we witnessed this first hand as  they chased off another group of dogs who came to check out the fire hall and its treats.  The third dog, remaining wary of the intruders, completed the pack and never left his vigil.  These boys greeted us at the clinic every morning from that day on, and we were happy to receive their blessing to continue our work in their community – and of course, happy to continue serving up the welcomed treats in return.

(Amy Lowe was a student participant on Chinook 2011; this post is a response to a short assignment where students were asked to choose a meaningful photo from the trip and explain its significance in no more than 250 words)

Dr. Nicole gives the "thumbs up"

In 2009, Nicole Cummings participated as a student on the Chinook Project (Cambridge Bay/Kugluktuk).  She kept a blog for us, then, which is still available on the CBC website (http://www.cbc.ca/pei/features/chinookproject/).  This past summer, we were so very fortunate to have DR. Nicole (who now practises in Massachusetts) volunteer her time as an instructor with the Project.  She was an incredible mentor and teacher, and we’ve asked her to write the first blog post for the new Chinook Project Website.  Here it is:

“When I was asked to write the first blog for the Chinook Project website and describe my experiences as both a student and an instructor, I was honored. This is because the most important skills I learned in vet school were not learned from a textbook. They were learned with the Chinook Project.

No matter how many lectures you sit through about client communication, not one can truly prepare you for real life. Gaining trust from a group of people who have never met you, and explaining the importance of spaying and neutering, animal health care, and vaccinations to people for whom English may not be a first language allows you to cross real life culture barriers. These are the skills that can conquer everyday communication barriers at home.

No matter how many colorful surgical textbooks you read, not one will come close to real life experience–to holding those instruments in your hands, and feeling just how tight the suture should be tied in each particular dog. Those textbooks also do not have the simple surgical tricks and medical knowledge passed down from each Chinook instructor.

The simple fact: as a student I learned how to become a better veterinarian, and better surgeon because of the Chinook trip. I now know all those little tricks for talking to clients, and dealing with tough surgeries. Only a handful of people got to experience this trip first hand, and I felt it was now my turn to pass on the same knowledge that was taught to me by my wonderful instructors.

As an instructor this year, my role changed. I had forgotten how foreign the surgical instruments can feel in your hands as a student. I had forgotten how I stumbled over my words when first talking to clients, and how I nearly froze up when asked why spaying/neutering was important in a radio interview. I suddenly realized not only how far I had come in just 2 years, but also how important my role was in the students’ lives this year. I was no longer allowed to sit idly by, and just “take in” information. It was now my job to provide the information. I had to learn to be patient, to go slow, to explain the same thing in many different ways until it was clear to each student. The hardest thing I learned was when I needed to hold a student’s hand in surgery, and when it was time to let it go.

For the two weeks I was there, it was my mission to ensure they squeezed out every single bit of knowledge I had learned on my trip. This trip was a completely different experience for me. I loved this trip as much as when I went as a student, but for very different reasons. I was given amazing instructors and knowledge during my own trip. And now, I was molding future veterinarians with the very same knowledge that molded me, and I was elated to be a part of it.”

Nicole Cummings, DVM

We hope you’ll join us now and again to see what we’re up to and what’s new with us.