Every now and then, even some of the most seasoned Waverly Health Center (WHC) emergency room (ER) providers see new scenarios. Such was the case recently when Margo Welsh, PA-C and Dr. John Zehr had a patient present with a donkey bite.
Tabatha Caswell, of Nashua, was attempting to halter one of her miniature donkeys when he bit down on her thumb. Any time she tried to pull her thumb out, the donkey bit Caswell harder and began grinding his teeth. Caswell’s 11-year-old son Jace was her “hero without a cape” when he found a way to free her from the bite and prevent additional trauma.
Caswell, her husband Michael, and Jace immediately headed to the ER at WHC. As a nurse, Caswell was aware that calling the ER ahead of time may help them prepare for what’s coming. While Caswell was making her way there, ER providers Welsh and Dr. Zehr began researching donkeys and donkey bites.
“They made sure to do research on the risk of infection and asked what I knew about donkeys,” said Caswell. “I am glad that they took the time to ensure they were treating me thoroughly and properly.”
As a nurse, Caswell understands the process of ensuring a patient receives thorough care. “As a patient, you must be patient,” said Caswell. “The providers knew what was best for me. I wasn’t going to rush them.”
Caswell is now home and healing her crush injury. She is thankful for the providers’ thorough and efficient care. “Everyone I came in contact with was kind and calm,” she said. “They truly treated me how they would want to be treated.”