Over the past two and a half weeks, I have had the incredible opportunity to be part of the Mazunte Project. The Mazunte Project is a large-scale, high-volume spay and neuter campaign in which veterinary teams from across the country, including a team from Michigan State University, travel to rural and underserved communities throughout Mexico. These teams establish temporary outdoor surgical clinics and perform much-needed sterilization surgeries for local animals. Participating in this program significantly increased my confidence in my surgical abilities and allowed me to further develop the skills necessary to become a competent and prepared veterinarian as I approach graduation.

The overall mission of the Mazunte Project is to protect endangered sea turtle populations by addressing one of their major threats: stray dogs that hunt along nesting beaches and dig up and consume turtle eggs. By reducing the stray dog population through humane sterilization, the project directly supports long-term wildlife conservation efforts. Throughout the course of the program, notable progress was observed, as no stray dogs were seen digging up nests in protected areas this year. This achievement is the result of decades of dedicated work and collaboration by countless individuals prior to our arrival, and it was inspiring to witness the impact of those sustained efforts firsthand.

In addition to the surgical work, I had the unforgettable opportunity to visit turtle conservation sites and participate in the release of sea turtles back into the ocean. Being able to see the direct connection between veterinary medicine, public health, and wildlife conservation made this experience especially meaningful.

The team I traveled with consisted of eight Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students, four veterinary nursing students, three licensed veterinarians, and two licensed veterinary technicians. Over the span of nine surgery days, our team successfully performed a total of 482 spay and neuter surgeries. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together and deeply grateful to have been part of such a skilled, compassionate, and supportive team. This experience allowed me to form meaningful professional relationships and lifelong friendships, and it will undoubtedly remain one of the most impactful experiences of my veterinary education.

Name: Makayla LaGro
Status: Graduate Student
Major: Veterinary Medicine
Hometown: Battle Creek, Michigan
Program: The Mazunte Project in Mexico