A day in the life of hurricane rescue teams

The following is an excerpt from a press release issued by Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine and the Equine Health Studies Program. Lamar-Dixon Expo Center was Louisiana's central staging area for displaced horses, 385 of which were evaluated in a makeshift hospital that was run by LSU faculty, students and other volunteers. Helpers from several states and organizations executed rescue runs from Lamar-Dixon for more than 10 days beginning Sept. 1.

Thursday, Sept. 8

GROUP 1: Departed to St. Bernard Parish at 7:25 a.m.

Crew: Dr. Chad Richard, Toby Wallace with Roger and a 12-horse trailer with seven horses coming back.

Situation: Four horses in corral at stable and others around. At least 3 up river. Could be as many as 9 horses at The Grove area.

Needs: Check report of horse inside the St. Bernard Fire Station.

• More than 150 dogs need rescue (60 dogs at Sheriff's station) and army guards are bringing more.

• Food for people.

Outcome: Two trailers are headed back with about 100 dogs, three cats and a pot-bellied pig. Leslie's trailer has seven horses; St. Romain trailer has dogs and cats; Austin, Texas trailer has dogs and cats.

GROUP 2: Departed to Hahnville, La. at 7:15 a.m.

Run 1: Dr. Phil Deville, Dr. Ashley Stokes and Dr. Cassie Johnson with Robbie Murphy in his 32-foot stock trailer

• I-10 to 310 to River Road — EJ Phillips will be at Lamar Dixon at 6:30 a.m. — Nine Quarterhorse mares that are pregnant and had been evacuated from Algiers need to be moved onto Lamar-Dixon until he can find another location.

Run 2: Mr.Lemaire and Mr. Forestier from Lafayette loaded their long stock trailer with barrels of water, 25 bales of hay and 750 pounds of pelleted feed to deliver to Bush area.

• Then to Bush, La. Fifteen horses that either need to be hauled out, or feed and water taken in.

Outcome: Delivered hay and water to Thornhill Road and took pelleted feed to Folsom Equestrian Center.

GROUP 3: Departed to New Orleans' French Quarter area at 7:50 a.m.

Crew: Dr. Shannon Gonsoulin & Dr. Artell went with Mr. Lucian and Darnelle and two long stock trailers from Dominigues to the Royal Carriage on Rampart and may go on to New Orleans East area where there are reportedly about 30 other horses.

Outcome: Brought back about 28 horses from Hayne Blvd. and Parry area. No animals at Royal Carriage on Rampart; there was a painted sign that said "help, 37 mules", but they were gone. It looks like someone got them out with the horses around the Hayne-Gannon barn.

GROUP 4: Departed to Lakefront New Orleans East (Hayne Road/Crowder/Gannon/Bullard) at about 7:30 a.m.

Needs: 19-21 horses (at least 3 still loose)

Crew: Drs. Harry Kleinman, Amy Snyder, Lonnie Berry and Amy Backo with three trucks and trailers.

Outcome: Brought back 20 horses from Hayne/Crowder area (Yeager's Stables).

THREE OTHER GROUPS departed to various parts of Louisiana Sept. 8 and rescued at least 17 horses and a goat.