By Celeste Boatwright Grace, DVM

I arrived at the Santo Domingo airport the first time with a huge duffle bag full of donated veterinary supplies, a week’s worth of work clothes (shorts, which I had never considered as appropriate attire for an equine veterinarian), and, most importantly, a spirit of adventure. After all, I was in the Dominican Republic, where things do not always go as planned, about to embark on an equitarian mission.

As I stood there waiting, it was easy to tell when the other members of Project Samana, a charitable health care project for working equids, started to arrive: All it took was a glance to recognize the excited veterinary students and the experienced veterinarians, technicians, spouses, and assistants. And, of course, all of their large duffle bags gave their identity away.

The drive from the airport to Samana takes a few hours, plus or minus (taking into account roads or lack thereof, wrong turns, and accidents). At the hotel we unpack, freshen up, and gather for the first of our nightly meetings. Jay Merriam, DVM, and colleagues founded Project Samana 19 years ago, and since then they have developed an impeccably organized and efficient program. During these meetings we discuss the day, organize for the following day, and talk about anything that needs to be tweaked. The first night is an opportunity to get to know one another and learn the basics for Day 1. It’s typically an early night so we are well-rested for a full day’s work