ALTOONA – In March, Dr. Matthew Stachmus, a veterinarian at Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital in Altoona, joined a group of other veterinarians and veterinary students for a 10-day mission trip in Nicaragua (Central America).
Following their arrival at the airport, the team members traveled 12 hours into the country’s interior to work in a remote village. There, they treated small and large animals – dogs, cats, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and cattle – and even performed surgeries.
Through the help of Altoona Regional employees Dave Gracey (Engineering) and Justin Kobuck (Operating Room), the health care system was able to support the group’s mission by donating recently outdated medical supplies, such as dressings, sponges and suture materials, to take along.
“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Altoona Regional for providing us with those needed materials,” said Stachmus. “It was a great experience and a blessing for us and the people and animals we served.”