In February, Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue (SYCR) welcomed a veterinary team from Portland, Oregon where the organization is headquartered. Dr. Kerri Jackson and veterinary technician Natalie Williamson volunteered to provide training to the SYCR veterinary team, as well as dental care for the chimpanzee residents. While at the site, they accompanied Dr. Sheri Speede into a nearby village to explore the possibility of sterilizing the local dogs.

They found a mother dog wounded and near starvation, yet still caring for her two five-week-old puppies. The victim of a poacher’s traps, she was missing a back foot and all the toes on one front paw. Although scared and having never been treated with sensitivity and kindness, she allowed Sheri, Kerri and Natalie to examine her.

As the team conducted the exam and while she continued to nurse her pups, mom looked at the women with soft eyes communicating how much she appreciated their concern. In that moment, they knew they had to take the mom and babies to the sanctuary to nurse her open wounds and provide good nutrition. Within a few days, they were committed to bringing the family back to the United States where they would no longer suffer and where they could find loving homes.

The family is now safe in Portland, Oregon! The two puppies (Roon and Cam) have found loving guardians. Kerri is devoted to caring for the mom dog, now named Bonté (French for "goodness") and exploring the possibility of a prosthetic limb for her.

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