Navajo Technical College vaccinates over 3,000 sheep and goats in Eastern Agency

CROWNPOINT, N.M. -For five days, veterinarians and volunteers from across the country joined Navajo Technical College in providing vaccinations to over 3,000 heads of sheep and goats for Navajo elderly in some of the most remote areas of the Eastern Navajo Nation.

From July 25 -29, Navajo Tech and visitors from as far as California to North Carolina - many of whom were working through the Christian Veterinary Mission organization - visited the chapters of Standing Rock, Dalton Pass, Crownpoint, Lake Valley, Becenti, Torreon, Pueblo Pintado, Mariano Lake, Smith Lake, Baca/Haystack and Casamero Lake.

Vaccinations and deworming were provided to area elders who were recommended by each chapter's Land Board. While performing the vaccinations, NTC also educated owners on Scrapie tags, which is a new requirement by the New Mexico Livestock Board. The tags identify vaccination of Scrapie, a fatal, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats.

"It's our duty, first established in the 60s and from there on, to be responsible for livestock," explained Land Board official of the Baca, Casamero Lake and Thoreau Chapters, Bobby Delgarito (Prewitt, N.M.). "When we vaccinate the livestock, it's the only way we can keep record of herd health, which is needed to sell your sheep."

NTC provided similar services last year, but only served 700 animals, which included cows and horses. This year the program only serviced sheep and goats, which allowed for more vaccinations. One family that received assistance was Steven James and his mother Rena James of South Chavez, New Mexico.

"It's been good, we like it," explained Steven James. "A couple of weeks ago two sheep died and we didn't know what was wrong with them. It's nice that the sheep are getting this medicine so they're healthy and won't die and suffer."

According to NTC Extension Coordinator Anthony Howard, NTC has been providing similar services to the Navajo Nation for the past nine years. While it started out as a basic spay and neutering program, it has slowly developed into what it is today.

"People have been very thankful because they've never had their sheep vaccinated before," said NTC Extension Coordinator Anthony Howard. "We're really trying to educate everyone on herd health management procedures because buyers are really looking at meat quality. They want to know that vaccination injections aren't affecting the quality of meat."

Joining Navajo Technical College included veterinarians and vet students from the University of Missouri-Columbia, University of California-Davis, and volunteers from as far as Tennessee and North Carolina.

"The experience has been very good," explained Tim Evans, an Associate Professor and Veterinary Toxicologist with the University of Missouri - Columbia. "It's been great being around a new culture helping people and developing positive relationships."

For more information, please contact the NTC Veterinary Hospital at 505-786-4150.

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