On the 20th of August 2008, my dear friend & colleague Ben Cunneen passed away.

He contracted Hendra virus as a result of treating a sick horse.

Although I only worked with Ben for a brief 9 months, he was a true gentlemen & a great person to work with.  He was supportive and helpful and he kept an eye on me when I was home with a newborn while my husband worked away quite frequently.

I still remember his laugh and the silly jokes he used to tell.

He will never be forgotten.

My thoughts are with the family he left behind and the little girl who never had a chance to meet her father.

My thoughts are with Natalie, the nurse who assisted Ben & survived.  She has long term health problems and her life will never be the same.

The clinic where we all worked suffered a great loss financially as well as the after effects of a tragedy resulting in the fragmentation and loss of a great team.

My thoughts are also with Alister Rodgers’ family, the veterinarian who contracted the Hendra virus 1 year later and didn’t survive.

I am so glad there is now a vaccine for Hendra virus.

My thoughts are always with any equine veterinarian who never knows if the sick horse they are going to see is infected with the Hendra Virus.  I admire their bravery and commitment.

Natasha

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