U.S. and Tanzanian veterinarians have been working together to provide animal treatment services in Tanga, Tanzania as part of a veterinary civic action project (VETCAP), July 14-August 9, 2008.

Coordinated by the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries, VETCAP offers Tanzanian veterinarians the opportunity to learn from their U.S. counterparts and to improve the health of livestock in the region.

During the month-long program, veterinarians provided care to livestock, attended training on livestock health initiatives, and conducted minor surgical procedures.

Master Sergeant Norman Holland said, "Not only the villagers and district veterinarians, but the Government itself has welcomed us, and we have also laid on plans for a follow-up VETCAP. This has been my most eventful Civil Affairs project -- I look forward to doing more."

This is the first such Veterinary Civic Action project to be undertaken in Tanzania. The positive response from the community, the district, and the Ministry has encouraged the team to return to additional districts in the region.

In addition to the veterinary program, a U.S. medical team has recently completed a series of Medical Civil Action Projects at four communities in Tanga from June 28 to July 15.

According to U.S. Embassy spokesperson, other CJTF-HOA projects in Tanzania include a girlls dormitory at a secondary school in the Pawaga, Iringa region, a primary school on Pemba, and additional projects in the Tanga Region.