Volokh Svitlana Oleksandrivna Sloviansk - Bakhmut
Veterinary medicine is my life's work. In the city of Sloviansk, I opened the first licensed clinic back in 2000. At that time, small animal treatment was just emerging because most attention was given to production animals. We faced many difficulties in gathering everything we needed to work because even finding literature was challenging. Therefore, we communicated a lot with colleagues who also chose this path, shared clinical cases, and consulted with human medicine doctors. Later, small animal veterinary medicine developed, and we attended seminars and congresses, acquiring new knowledge. The first laboratory tests for cats and dogs, surgeries, treatment of dermatological patients were introduced in the city, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures such as vaccinations, sterilizations, parasite control, proper feeding, and care.
In August 2012, together with my husband, we acquired premises in Bahmut, intending to expand. However, while we were renovating and connecting utilities, the year 2014 arrived, bringing the first masked internal conflict, the russian invasion.
This year destroyed the plans of many people from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions because the war came to our homes, starting from my city, Sloviansk. It is difficult to describe the horrors that occurred in Sloviansk for six months. These events first devastated our family - the Sloviansk clinic was looted. The trials continued: many doctors left for safe cities and regions, and later the premises we rented were taken away from us.
Life between the two cities, Sloviansk-Bahmut.
On August 8, 2016, we opened in Bahmut. We arranged a new clinic using credit funds - equipped an operating room, a manipulative room, a pharmacy, and were glad that this time no one would drive us away...
But on February 24, 2022, we woke up to the terrible news of a full-scale attack by russia on our country. Bahmut is a front-line city.
From the first day of the war, Bahmut turned into a fortress because the front line has been approximately 8 kilometers away from the city since 2014. When I arrived at the clinic, the military explained that it was now dangerous here, and shelling could happen at any moment. Still, they allowed us to enter the premises to collect belongings and evacuate patients who were caught in the hospital.
First and foremost, we evacuated the animals that were in our hospital. After a few days, we returned to collect the remaining medicines - we took everything that could fit in our car, and we distributed some of the feed and medications.
Everything developed very quickly, and we could no longer enter Bahmut due to constant shelling. But in July 2022, my husband and volunteers made another attempt to save something and ended up under an airstrike. Luckily, we managed to retrieve a small refrigerator and several drip stands, which were closer to the exit. We didn't risk our lives any further and set up a clinic in Chernivtsi, the city that fate led us to this time.
The clinic "Animal Health Center Dr. Volokh" was located in the central part of the city, on Miru Street, 13, across from the railway transport college, where only burnt ruins remained.
This is another sad page in my life when we lost everything.
After evacuating to Chernivtsi, I started looking for an opportunity to join the ranks of veterinary medicine professionals again. The head of the charitable foundation "Spilnymy Zusyllyamy" offered a premises for free use to organize and open a clinic. Thus, "Doctor Volokh" veterinary care emerged in Chernivtsi.
By chance, I met the owner of the "OlVet" network of veterinary clinics in Ivano-Frankivsk, who provided an animal hospital, an operating table, and furniture. We also submitted an application to USAVA, and they donated an oxygenation box called "VETTAR," and later an ultrasound machine.
Our long-time friends, with whom we have been collaborating, created special conditions for us to have a range of medications in the pharmacy and allowed us to restore and enhance our knowledge through conferences sponsored by them. Slowly, we started working.
We understand that there is still a lot to acquire for the existence and proper functioning of the clinic. I would be grateful for any assistance in the recovery.
Bank: AT "SENS BANK"
IBAN: UA883003460000026201911948931
Recipient Code: 2787609844
Recipient: Volokh Svitlana Oleksandrivna
I believe in victory, I believe that together we will rebuild Ukraine!
