In six days, the team treated 3,000+ animals across 24 Honduran villages—bringing vital services where none exist.

For the past 25 years, Dr. Bill Folger, managing veterinarian at Memorial Cat Hospital (MCH) in Texas, has made the extraordinary journey to El Paraiso, Honduras, bringing life-saving veterinary care to animals and communities that would otherwise go without it.

“Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere,” shared Dr. Folger. “In the area we serve, there are no veterinary services of any kind. And if they were available, most people couldn’t afford those services.”

This year's trip united an incredible team of veterinary professionals and students, including MCH Technician Assistant and pre-vet student Anais Jayr, along with three Oklahoma State University veterinary students.

For six days straight, the team worked 14-hour days in makeshift clinics set up in local churches and schools, serving one village in the morning and another in the afternoon.

“Like all veterinarians, we adapt to the locations, availability of supplies, conditions, and the temperament of the animals,” said Dr. Folger. “We even packed our lunches in large coolers so we could keep working without interruption.”

With support from NVA GP, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, Zoetis, Merial, and Mississippi Serum, the team treated over 3,000 animals - including dogs, cats, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats - across 24 villages. They also performed a record-breaking 250+ surgeries.

"This is who we are,” said Dr. Folger. “As a group of people, veterinarians are kind, generous to a fault, hardworking, moral and ethically bound with a broad sense of decency and respect for all living creatures.”

One Oklahoma State University veterinary student even told Dr. Folger that this mission trip changed their life. “Over the last 25 trips, we have made many friends in Honduras, and they look forward to our journey there every June.”