A Special Postcard from Saipan!

I'm back from Saipan, and what an incredible experience it was!

First, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this mission. To those who donated through my GoFundMe—thank you for believing in this trip and helping make it possible. And to all of my clients, thank you for your patience and flexibility while I was away from the hospital. Your support allowed me to use my skills where they were desperately needed on an island that currently has no veterinarian.

I also want to express how incredibly grateful I am to my team at Fox Run Veterinary Hospital. They truly held down the fort while I was away, ensuring our patients continued to receive exceptional care and allowing me to focus on mentoring and helping the animals and community on Saipan. I couldn't have done this without them.

One of the highlights of the trip was having one of our own Fox Run Veterinary Hospital veterinary assistants, Haddie, join me for the second half of the mission. Working together in a high-volume surgical setting gave me the opportunity to mentor her while caring for so many animals. Watching her confidence and technical surgical nursing skills grow throughout the week was incredibly rewarding, and I'm excited that she has brought those enhanced skills and experiences back home to benefit our patients at Fox Run.

During my two weeks on the island, we completed 161 surgeries. While the majority were spays and neuters to help address the island's severe pet overpopulation crisis, we also performed cherry eye surgery, repaired hernias, treated wounds and traumatic injuries, and completed dental extractions for a cat who had been waiting over two years for desperately needed dental care.

While those 161 surgeries will undoubtedly make a difference, what I'm most proud of was the opportunity to mentor future veterinarian Lauren Cabrera. My goal wasn't simply to help the animals we saw while I was there, it was to leave Lauren with the surgical skills, confidence, and mentorship she needs to continue making a lasting impact on Saipan's animal welfare and pet overpopulation challenges when she returns home after veterinary school. Knowing that this work will continue long after my trip has ended is the most meaningful part of this experience.

Thank you again to everyone who made this mission possible. Whether you donated, followed along on the journey through my social media, cheered me on, or patiently waited for my return, you were part of making a lasting difference for the animals and people of Saipan.

To see photos and highlights from the mission, follow @dr.jessa.kocher, @future.island.vet, and @saipanhumanesociety on Instagram.