By Marisol Villarreal

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 11, 2023 – UTRGV’s commitment to the community extends beyond its human residents. 

UTRGV Health Services donated 20 pallets worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) on Sept. 21.

UTRGV Procurement Office staff load a truck as UT Health RGV Student Health donates medical supplies to the Palm Valley Animal Society, a nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Hidalgo County, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at the Community Engagement & Student Success Building in Edinburg, Texas. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

“We are so thankful to UTRGV for being lifesavers,” said Adriana Gonzales, a member of the PVAS’ public relations team, “Community donations play a huge role in providing our shelter pets with the comfort and nourishment they need.”

The PPE is made up of disposable gowns, face shields, N95 particulate respirators (face masks), hand sanitation wipes and gallons of vital oxide, which is used as a disinfectant cleaner, mold and mildew killer and odor eliminator.

The collaborative effort began when UTRGV Director of Student and Employee Health Services Rick Gray wondered how his department could rehome UTRGV’s excess PPE supplies.

“I have a PVAS graduate as my personal fur-friend and remembered seeing how much PPE they use in caring for their animals,” said Gray.

Kezia Vazquez, Palm Valley Animal Society animal care tech, transfers a dog as she prepares to cleans cages on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 at the Palm Valley Animal Society Trenton Center in Edinburg, Texas. UTRGV has donated excess medical supplies including gowns, caps, face masks, face shields, gloves & cleaning wipes. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

Gray worked behind the scenes with enthusiastic support from various UTRGV divisions, including UT Health RGV, Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management and the Office of Emergency Management.

With the university’s support, 814 animals, from the tiniest kittens to the wisest old dogs at Palm Valley Animal Society’s Laurie P. Andrews and Trenton centers in Edinburg, will continue to receive careful attention from animal care technicians in a clean and safe way. 

“UTRGV’s donation of PPE will greatly help our staff in every job they perform,” said Gonzales, “PPE is used by our animal care technicians to protect their clothing and skin while ensuring our pets are in a clean and healthy environment.”

UT Health RGV Student Health donates medical supplies to the Palm Valley Animal Society, a nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Hidalgo County, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at the Community Engagement & Student Success Building in Edinburg, Texas. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

Gonzales also said PVAS’ medical staff additionally uses PPE while administering vaccines and performing surgeries at their clinic.

For Gray, the opportunity to contribute to the shelter’s mission in caring for animals in the community brought him immense satisfaction. 

“It is one of our goals at UTRGV to be an engaged member of our community and we are simply happy to be able to help,” Gray said.

PVAS is always in need of donations such as blankets, dog and cat food, pet beds, crates, collars and toys. For more information about donating or about PVAS, visit www.pvastx.org.