LSU Vet Med and LSART Collaborate to Train Disaster Responders  

By Sandra Sarr, MFA, Communications Manager

The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) and LSU Vet Med joined forces the week of April 7 for the 15th annual LSART Animal Responder Boot Camp. This hands-on training event strengthens disaster response skills for veterinary professionals, students and emergency responders across Louisiana, marking 15 years of collaboration between LSART and LSU Vet Med in advancing disaster response education.

Over the course of the week, participants—including veterinarians, veterinary students, LSART members, responders from multiple different parishes—engaged in hands-on exercises and expert-led lectures on topics like pet evacuation, large and small animal decontamination, large animal rescue, and disaster preparedness.  

This year’s boot camp also welcomed guests from the University of California, Davis. In attendance from UC Davis’ California Veterinary Emergency Team were Dr. Briana Hamamoto and Kimberly Carlson, RVT, operational specialist, to strengthen collaboration and learn how Louisiana handles animal rescue during disaster.  

“The more we work together, the more we can advance disaster medicine,” Dr. Hamamoto said.

The collaborative efforts of LSU Vet Med and LSART brought together a diverse group of professionals, with experts from both organizations providing valuable insight and training. Among the instructors were LSU Vet Med faculty and staff, along with members of LSART.

Dr. Renee Poirrier (LSU 1988), director of LSART and adjunct assistant professor at LSU Vet Med, emphasized the importance of veterinary involvement in disaster response efforts.  

“Something I don’t think most veterinarians understand is that when they step on the scene of a disaster, because they’re a veterinarian, they’re automatically seen as a professional,” Dr. Poirrier said. “People are going to want to listen to them more than anybody else. They need to be prepared.”  

Recognized as one of the nation’s top veterinary disaster response programs, LSU Vet Med’s Disaster Training and Response Program trains veterinary students and professionals to handle emergencies ranging from large-scale disasters to individual rescues. During major disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the Disaster Training and Response Program, along with LSART, aided in rescue efforts.  

While many veterinary students who attended the boot camp will contribute to local disaster response efforts, the training prepares them to assist nationwide as well.  

“In every state there are disasters and veterinarians should be a part of their community disaster response,” Poirrier said. “They are necessary and needed.”

By the end of the boot camp, participants left better prepared to respond to emergencies and ensure the safety of animals during disasters.