VN May 2017

Posbus I Mailbox

••• LETTER FROM ...

Johan Marais

Dear SAVA members Saving the Survivors (STS) is a non-profit organisation that was started in 2012 to care for endangered species of wildlife that had either been poached or fallen victim to any traumatic incident. Wildlife most commonly treated are rhino, due to the high number of animals that are being poached or shot currently. STS also supports orphanages in South Africa where young rhino or elephant calves need specialised treatment.

The South African Equine Veterinary Association held two fundraisers, one at each of their annual congresses in 2016 and 2017. During these two events, a total of R 105 000-00 and R147 000-00 were raised from veterinary colleagues that attended the gala dinner. STS is extremely humbled by the support shown by the profession towards this initiative, and we would like to thank Dr Manfred Rohwer, SAEVA and everyone involved, as well as everyone that made bids on these two occasions that assisted in raising these funds. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to everybody that contributed. Best regards Johan Marais v

••• LETTER FROM ...

Jean du Toit

Dear Editor As I was reading my issue of VetNews this month I reflected on the fact that it actually contains very little news about vets. Don’t get me wrong, I think the increase in CPD articles is very welcome and have enhanced the publication, I just think that we need more personal anecdotes, both professional and personal, from members of the profession. I know that there are great stories to tell because I have heard many such stories. So to set the ball rolling please consider the attached story about me and my wife attempting the Ironman triathlon in Port Elizabeth a few years ago.

Kind regards, Jean du Toit

(Dear Jean! Thanks for your contribution. We would love more of these stories from our colleagues – the problem is that veterinarians seem to be good story-tellers, but poor story-writers… Anyone who has a contribution to make is most welcome to do so! – Paul) v ••• LETTER FROM ... Alex Niven

Letter to editor Greetings Paul,

Just flicking through some VetNews magazines, when I reread the article on What do horses see (Part 1)? The header amused me. That one of my eye column friends should describe their article as “useless information” made me prick up my ears. Wrong, good people. Wrong! At a time when I often battle to find much of value in the magazine, in particular there is too much on counselling (please bear in mind I say that as a counsellor myself in the Catholic Church). I do believe we have exhausted articles of that genre; time for them to slow down a bit – or a lot! So, for the eye specialists and everyone else, I think if they follow the lead in that short article we might actually brighten up the magazine. Well done guys. And! As a practitioner with an interest in the performance horse – when will you be able to develop the eye test that will help us select the good ones? God bless. Alex Niven (Dear Alex! Thanks for your letter. We would love to know whether colleagues share your views – in particular, “battle to find much of value” and “there is too much on counselling”. Please write to us – and do not forget to, with your criticism, include suggestions on how we could improve! – Paul) v

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