A Personal Journey: Why Rabies Prevention Matters to Me
My interest in this program began when I was a little girl wanting to be a veterinarian, and I saw the movie “Old Yeller.” It made me so sad to realize the wonderful dog died because of a disease that we know is preventable. It stuck with me, and rabies continues to be a fascinating disease woven through the history of mankind. My husband, a veterinarian in Missouri, was inadvertently exposed to a rabid horse and needed the post-exposure injections. It was just another reminder that rabies remains a threat to both humans and animals.
There are many worthwhile causes in the world, and currently, there are numerous cruel cuts being made to health programs. I have the good fortune of being able to donate to some of those causes, so I have selected the ones most important to me. I can’t imagine being a mother and having to choose between treating my child post-exposure from a rabid dog and knowing that it could cost the family a year’s salary. Thanks to the brilliance and dedication of people like Dr. Guy Palmer, Dr. Thumbi Mwangi, Dr. Felix Lankester, and others involved in this program, it might be possible to prevent any parent from having to make a decision that could have such devastating effects. There is still a lot of work to be done, with some countries not prioritizing the impact of this virus and the preventative measures available. I am hoping that my contribution will continue to support this important program to make Africa, and eventually other countries, rabies-free.
Linda Wood, DVM
