BOARDMAN Veterinarian gives out free shots

Dr. Allen dispensed free rabies and distemper vaccine to some 800 animals.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- A local veterinarian, Dr. Donald K. Allen, gave a figurative shot in the arm to 2nd Marine Division personnel at Camp Lejeune, N.C., by literally giving free shots to their pets.
Dr. Allen and his wife, Paula, who manages his office at 4501 Market St., drove to Camp Lejeune, N.C., for the base's annual Pet Fair on Sept. 10.
There they dispensed free rabies and distemper vaccine to about 800 animals, as well as dispensing heartworm and other medicines.
Dr. Allen, a small-animal veterinarian, said he wanted particularly to help the Marines to show his appreciation for the job they are doing in the Middle East.
Also, Allen wrote a book a few years ago, "Tarawa -- The Aftermath," about the invasion of the South Pacific island of Tarawa during World War II. In doing research for the book, including visits to Tarawa, he said he developed great respect for the Marines, especially those of the 2nd Division.
Showing appreciation
Allen, an Air Force Reserve public health officer based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, said he remembers how tight money was for him as a lower-ranked enlisted man when he was on active duty with the Air Force from 1967-81.
"I thought I could show my appreciation in practical way by saving Marines between $50 and $150, depending on the number of pets they have," Dr. Allen said.
He said he first went to Camp Lejeune in April 2005 to give shots, but was disappointed when only about 65 people with pets showed up at the clinic. He investigated and believes it was because of lack of promotion of the event.
This time, the base paper carried a story on the Pet Clinic and the free shots available. Dr. Allen said people were lined up for a block at 9 a.m., an hour before the clinic opened, and he did not finish giving shots until after 5 p.m., about two hours after it was scheduled to end.
Donations
Dr. Allen said he worked with the base veterinarian, Army Capt. Genevieve Vega, and her staff and volunteers from the Carolina Animal Protection Society out of Jacksonville, N.C. He said he and his wife donated 600 doses of rabies vaccination, and hundreds more vaccination doses, medicines and syringes and needles were donated by several companies including: Bayer, Butler Co., Columbus Serum Co., Fort Dodge Animal Health, Merial, Novartis and Pfizer.
In the past, Dr. and Mrs. Allen have donated to the USO and Fisher House at Wright-Patterson Air Base. But, they wanted to help more directly and settled on giving free pet shots.
Dr. Allen said they are so pleased with the results of the free clinic that they plan to make it an annual event.
"These Marines deserve the help. In my eyes, they are the same kids who stormed that beach back on Tarawa," he said.
alcorn@vindy.com