**Please note that, due to the ongoing wildfires in Behchoko, and our emergency response efforts to help animals and their guardians that have been evacuated from the area to Yellowknife, our doghouse workshop at Makerspace has been postponed. We will post our reschedule date when it’s confirmed.**
YELLOWKNIFE, NWT, July 24, 2023 – Veterinarians Without Borders/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VWB/VSF) is excited to partner with Makerspace YK to build doghouse flatpack kits for remote communities across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. VWB/VSF’s Northern Canada Veterinary Specialist, Dr. Michelle Tuma (DVM), will join leaders from Makerspace YK ON Wednesday, July 26, at 1:30 PM MT to learn how to construct all-season houses for dogs living in remote areas, where access to supplies for dog houses is limited. The kits will then be shipped to a remote community where they can be assembled and distributed. This project is part of VWB/VSF’s Northern Animal Health Initiative (NAHI), which is focused on increasing capacity for animal health across Canada’s North.
“Providing animal guardians with houses for their dogs is an important step in increasing the health of dogs, and other animals, across northern communities,” said Dr. Michelle Tuma. “Given the North’s harsh winters, and other inclement weather, along with risk of potentially dangerous wildlife encounters, these shelters will provide dog guardians with an additional resource in helping keep their dogs healthy and safe,” said Tuma.
The NAHI program is focused on increasing access to animal health services in the Canadian North by providing services and resources to strengthen capacity in remote communities in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. VWB/VSF develops partnerships with remote communities in the Canadian territories upon their invitation. Together, they work to identify needs and build a plan with community representatives and leadership to strengthen local capacity to address animal care needs year-round. This includes offering annual temporary veterinary clinics with a team of volunteers. VWB/VSF’s goal is to build a sustainable framework that will create the conditions for lasting, community-driven animal health.
Details as follows:
Doghouse flat pack building workshop
When: Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 1:30 PM MT
Where: Makerspace, Unit 101, 5001 Forrest Dr Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2A7
Dr. Tuma from VWB/VSF and Aileen Ling and Miles Neglak-Voss from Makerspace will be on-site and available for interviews. There will be an opportunity for live demonstrations in building doghouses.
Media contact
Laura Eley
Communications Officer
E: laura@vetswithoutborders.ca
C: +1 343-633-0272, x 114
About Veterinarians Without Borders/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières
Using a One Health approach, Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) works for, and with, communities in need to foster the health of animals, people and the environments that sustain us. VWB works in Africa and Asia to improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged rural populations through veterinary and agricultural services, sustainable animal production, training, value chain development and sustainable natural resource management. Additionally, we support remote Northern Canadian communities to improve animal health through temporary spay and neuter clinics, reduce the spread of rabies, and work to create the conditions for long-term, community-led sustainable animal health services. VWB/VSF also responds to crises, worldwide, and is currently providing emergency support in Ukraine, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Turkey to address the growing needs of animals and communities.
Learn more at vetswithoutborders.ca
About Makerspace YK
Makerspace YK is a registered non-profit in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, looking to build community and resilience through hands-on learning, shared space, and skills-building. Our mission is to make skill-building accessible! We are Yellowknife's first “makerspace” with a fully-outfitted woodshop, digital fabrication lab and multi-purpose Artspace that is accessible for members and the community. In addition to providing access to space and equipment, we host a number of workshops, events and programming to provide skill-building and skill-sharing opportunities for all.
Learn more at https://www.makerspaceyk.com/
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