Adelaide veterinarian Robert Irving has been travelling to remote Aboriginal communities in APY Lands in north-west South Australia to treat companion animals for more than 30 years.
This year, Dr Irving had reinforcements in the form of Captain Naia Knight and Corporal Lianne Salerno from 3rd Health Battalion, who worked in partnership with Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) during the 2024 Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) in Amata, SA.
A national not-for-profit organisation focused on improving the health of companion animals in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, AMRRIC visited Amata with the ADF veterinary team during its recent two-week deployment.
As one of the founding members of AMRRIC, Dr Irving has travelled all over Australia to deliver veterinary programs in remote communities
"The health of dogs is part of the big picture of community health, and Army facilitated our ability to deliver the veterinary program in Amata this year by providing staff," Dr Irving said.
"It was a good show of force that things were being done in the community by AMRRIC and Army," he said.
"They were a good group of veterinarians. Everyone got on well together and the work they did was streamlined so I was really happy with it."
AACAP improves the wellbeing and lifestyles of remote Indigenous communities, including through the delivery of veterinary care programs for companion animals.
Veterinary officer Captain Knight said she now understood a lot more about the challenges in remote communities.
"Ever since I joined Army, everyone's been asking me if I was going to do an AACAP," she said.
"When we first arrived in Amata, we checked out the facility the AACAP 2024 Health Development Officer, Lieutenant Nikita Avery, had arranged for us to loan from the Nganampa Health Council.
"It had everything we needed."
After setting up their surgery tables, equipment and supplies with combat medical attendant - and civilian veterinary technician - Corporal Salerno, Captain Knight went doorknocking for clients.
"We started visiting community members at their homes and we'd ask them if they wanted to bring their dog or cat in for de-sexing," Captain Knight said.
"The following day one of the AMRRIC vets and I started the surgical de-sexing program; we de-sexed about 12 that first day."
The team soon had a steady flow of clients, treating 67 companion animals in five days.
"Word travels so fast in the community," Captain Knight said.
"We microchipped all the animals we de-sexed, which were mainly dogs, but at least 10 cats as well."
They also provided urgent veterinary care where required, including emergency surgery for a well-loved family dog called Simba.
After being attacked by another dog and run over by a car, Simba was rushed to the temporary veterinary clinic by his owner.
"Simba had severe swelling as well as multiple painful puncture wounds from a dog bite so he was probably feeling quite poorly when a vehicle drove over his back end, causing suspected spinal trauma and an abdominal rupture," Captain Knight said.
"We gave him pain relief and treated him for shock before I repaired the abdominal rupture."
The veterinary team members were glad to see Simba up and walking on all four legs the following day.
"All the community members seem to know what's going on with everybody so they really look after each other and share resources," Captain Knight said.
"They were happy to engage with us and were grateful to have us. I think it's been a positive experience for everyone."
