Lost their job, need a surgery, in need of care. We are celebrating our first Better Neighbor Hero Dr. Kwane Stewart, an individual who is actively making a difference for our underserved and homeless communities. 2023 Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Inc. For the homeless, the relationship is on a totally different level. I think its fantastic. It was the first step in a now nine-year journey that has taken Dr. Kwane from Skid Row to San Francisco and beyond to care for pets and their humans who are living on the streets. So yeah, I just had an aptitude for science and for me the path was pretty easy. Good Life Family will help navigate the challenges of raising good kids kids who will find their own paths to happiness. Unfortunately, I didnt have a fundraising platform, so I didnt have any money coming in after the show had been airing in multiple places and I was still coming out of pocket. It was just my little side passion. DR. KWANE STEWART: I have vets reaching out to me from across the country saying I was inspired by you; can I do the same thing in my community. I never really told anybody about it. When they own a pet, it engenders this generosity. Ive been dying of colon cancer, but Im okay at the moment; Im getting by. Anyone has the power to help. Up until then, Id been practicing high-end medicine for clients who could pay for everything. I dont know what to do right now and start sweating. So, yeah, various projects, some on TV, some not, some still quiet and Ill keep to myself, the little moments I have, but all are very neat. I said, well, you know, really all this at this point, its necessary to treat your pet. I dont know what theyve been through. The first time Dr. Stewart met "Richard" was back in August. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kwane-stewart-190681168/, https://www.today.com/pets/street-vet-offers-free-medical-care-pets-homeless-t174465, https://www.abccommercial.com/contentsales/program/street-vet. At first when it all happened, I was like, hey, these are your cats, arent you going to take them? Last year, Dr. Stewart created a GoFundMe page that has raised over $100,000 to treat homeless pets . I know you did some work in Modesto. He looked confused. To read more about Dr. Kwane and how he cares for homeless pet owners and their pets, visit his profile at GoFundMe Heroes. Its airing in 26 countries, not here yet. You may know him as The Street Vet from the television show that chronicles the generous work that he does for Californias homeless population and their pets. Dr. Kwane Stewart has been a veterinarian for over 20 years. And then, you know, you find your spot. The fact that someone like you just stepped up and created a presence for this I mean, dude, really, really magical. If we can, in a way that we can. $50. You know, you said this earlier, and I was thinking about it. As I got close to the fence, he figured it out. Before taking on his role as The Street Vet, Stewart grew up in New Mexico where he spent his childhood trying to rescue stray animals and dreaming about trading in deserts for beaches. Thank you. DR. MIKE MORENO: I think the Beatles said that best, right. "I know that pets are reliant on people but I think people are even more dependent on their pets. In fact, my brother and family, most people didnt even know I was doing this. No one would, so be sensitive to that. I came home and he was at ten. If theyre not adopted, they get euthanized. The weather does get chilly at night in LA and I just couldn't resist. As weve come to learn, pets provide mental stability and support. For the last nine years, Dr. Kwane Stewart has spent his free time as a veterinarian treating pets on California's streets for free. Dr. Kwane now runs a GoFundMe page that aims to raise donations to cover all the animal care and pricey surgeries his four-legged patients need. A Warner Bros. You learn very quickly that you have no idea what put them there. Dr. Stewart pays out of his own pocket for food and medications, however, when he comes across cases that need extensive medical care like surgeries, he uses his GoFundMe to cover the costs. During his time working with homeless people, hes seen them face physical abuse and harassment, ranging from police hassling them to move and drivers spitting and throwing food at them as they pass by. CALIFORNIA (KABC) -- For the last nine years, Dr. Kwane Stewart has spent his free time as a veterinarian treating pets on California's streets for free. Ive been in the business too long. DR. MIKE MORENO: I mean, and its true what you said, and Im surprised to hear that its only 20% of homeless have animals because I live in San Diego, downtown and any metropolitan area, youre going to have a homeless population. To a pet, the pet looking at you you are their universe. I shared one story. I saw them as the most vulnerable population struggling to get care for their pets. Theres been a few pinch me moments since all this time. Because I will tell you right now, people are chomping at the bit trying to figure out how do we get to you? Before I knew it, I had a whole line, Stewart said. You always hope for the best. DR. MIKE MORENO: Lets hear it. So one day in 2011, on a whim, Stewart set up a table at a soup kitchen with his son and girlfriend. The problem is a lot of pet owners not a lot, but, you know, owning a pet is still different than owning a child. Charles III, Duke of Lorraine. I dont ever want to have to turn anybody away, he says. They have the cinderblock heads so powerful. Stay in the know and dont miss Wellness, Inc. So, as he was coming closer to me I said, I dont know where I got the name from, I said, Jasper, Jasper, wheres daddy? They hit the garage door, open the door, they jump up. Amazing stuff. Were seeing the benefits of owning a pet, tangible benefits to our health and wellness that its amazing. That says it all to me. After Modesto, California was a tough place to call home during the Great Recessioneven for pets. DR. MIKE MORENO: Wow. "Lower your leg, dammit," the advertisement says, quoting a Mexican Senator who recently said the same words to his wife in a viral Facebook video. DR. KWANE STEWART: I appreciate that so much. I mean, tell us a little bit more about how did this happen? No one answered. Then its just experience and time, and thats why they call it practice. You can also go to my Instagram @Drkwane or @Thestreetvet. That's her Bubba! Yeah, totally. SAN DIEGO - Veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart also known as the "The Street Vet" has taken the lead in helping a homeless veteran. He looks good. We celebrate his unwavering dedication to serving the homeless community in Los Angeles and hope his story and the stories of those he serves will continue to bring empathy to the issue of homelessness. You really put on a professional face. So, he was tethered by a chain inside of his chain link kennel. Dr. Kwane and HolistaPet Helps gifted the veteran and Princess Leia a new car! We get mornings and evenings and then we go to bed there with them all the time. DR. MIKE MORENO: Well, I know we all, and I said this before, it is every time I meet someone whos a veterinarian, unfortunately with one of my felines as of late, Ive known a lot of veterinarians. as the most vulnerable population struggling to get care for their pets. Its a German shepherd. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. New Year, new motivation. Every human wants companionship and purpose. Be kind. So again, during the time of the recession, Im burned out. On weekends, he spends hours walking around areas such as Skid Row in Los Angeles and downtown San Diego in search of homeless pet owners who could use a helping hand. The only person he listened to was my neighbor, the owner. We have a new show in development where Im going to start getting care not just to homeless people, but to people who are just people who may have homes that are short on resources or just economically challenged right now during these times more than ever. I think when youre younger, youre immature and you have these ideations, but the bottom line is we all have a story and whether its yours Kwane or mine or anybody listening, you know, were privy to that story. But when the Great Recession hit the US in 2007, Stewart realized he needed to do a lot more for the animals who had suddenly been tossed to the sidelines of a financial crisis. You know my ex-wife and I, on Sunday nights, we lived in Little Italy, in downtown San Diego, and theres a fair amount of homeless people in this area, and on Sunday nights, we would usually make a big meal of which we would eat about 10% of, and then we would take all the leftovers, we package them up and we would take dog food and we would walk through Little Italy for like an hour in the evening, before it got dark out on Sundays, and we would hand out food. After spending an afternoon offering medical care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness, he learned an important lesson: These animals provided more than companionship to their owners they also offered love, hope, and security. It could be something like job loss which leads to bad credit, so they cant get an apartment, and these moments snowball quickly.. That was one of the most memorable days of my life. Beautiful, loving animals, dont have homes, dont have loved ones. "With Dr. Stewart's intimate experience across most aspects of veterinary medicine, he was a logical choice to represent Fear Free for various audiences," Dr. Marty Becker, founder of Fear Free, said. DR. MIKE MORENO: And Im sure that was thats a great question. Your donation will enable him to provide expensive surgical procedures for dogs that need them as well as resources for homeless pet owners. When Kwane Stewart first decided to become a veterinarian, he had no idea his job would become less about the animals he treats and more about the humans who own them. Show me where daddy is. I walked to him like I knew him. So, it was my brother one day who said why dont you start to Go Fund Me? He lives in San Diego, so I think Im going to pound down his door and find him. LinkedIn. I just think people throw that around so loosely, but that is really a big problem as to why these animals out there. TREASURE ISLAND DUTCH DESIGN WEEK. Okay, thats, pretty cool. Of course. German shepherds, they make me a little yeah, a little nervous because I just have a hard time reading them. Yet he only spoke Russian. DR. MIKE MORENO: Listen, Im fired up to talk to you for so many reasons. The 49-year-old animal lover spends his free time driving around California and spotting homeless people with animals. When you see them panhandling on a corner and its looks like its a 28-year-old guy. The world of pets is HUGE and after 20 years I'm still just getting started! On this episode of Wellness, Inc. Dr Mike Moreno has a fascinating conversation with animal advocate and creator and star of Street Vet, Kwane Stewart. Sometimes people need a little help a little longer than others, but we dont get through this world without a little help. As the Great Recession drove Californias homeless populations higher year after year, so too did it increase the number of animals on the street. Early in his career he . Dr. Kwane Stewart had no idea a day volunteering at a soup kitchen would bring him face-to-face with his life's calling. What Dr. Kwane initially thought would be a one-off experience has since turned into a nine-year mission to help four-legged pets across Southern California and beyond. About Patrick Their relationship is on a totally different level, he says. Our pets they sit there in pine for us, you know, theyre pulling back the curtains. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Ive had my share of moments where I try and pull it back or tuck it away, but, you know, its funny, to touch on something you said a moment ago that they would give just about anything and a lot of them probably care for their pets better than they do; people with resources, its so true. DR. KWANE STEWART: Yeah, Ive cried. Theyll choose to stay outside or continue sleeping in the alley or under their tarp if the shelter wont take them and their pets. It is that unconditional love weve talked about. I walk by, I caught it. Euthanasia rates were skyrocketing. You know, surviving a pit bull attack isnt in my favor and I knew all this. But I can do a lot with ten dollars. The look on peoples faces when they get their pets back, especially after a surgery or a life-saving procedurethose are moments Ill remember forever.. You wonder because when my animals get sick and fortunately for me and my animals, I have the whereabouts and the ability financially to take them somewhere and to care for them, do all these things, but these people are struggling to provide food for themselves and shelter for themselves. While some of the individuals he approaches can be a little hesitant to accept help at first, Dr. Kwane says they are usually relieved and thankful by the end of their pets examination. After examining and treating about 15 animals on that first day, Dr. Kwane realized there was a true need for this type of medical care in his community. So, you get burned out on this and tell us what goes from there. I actually went out of pocket a little bit to produce the show and weve not made a return yet. He said, Can we fix it? I told him I knew an ophthalmologist here in San Diego. Hes walking towards me and I thought, hey, look, Ive been around enough dog bites, dog injuries and dog bites, I knew I was in trouble. You just make assumptions about their story without even knowing anything about them. I had my own prejudgments, like a lot of people, about homeless people before I started doing this work, Stewart said. He has always been an animal lover and devoted most of his formative years to rescuing stray animals. There really, really is. In other instances, the animals he examined needed special care at a veterinary hospital. The answer and this is an absolute to me now, the answer is yes. When you give back, there is something you get in return that feels much larger. No problem, says Dr. Kwane. DR. KWANE STEWART - Street Vet. Some of the common illnesses he treats include allergies, skin and ear infections, bad teeth and even arthritis. It seems like would be fairly easy, but when youre managing herd health for hundreds of animals, thousands of animals in the community, theres a lot to the medicine. You know, to go back what you said, working in that environment, I would think it would have to be so difficult, talk about burnout. I called over anyone who was holding their pet and told them Id take a look and vaccinate or treat their pet if I could.. You know, vaccines are pennies on the dollar. A graduate of the renowned Colorado State University Veterinary program, Dr. Kwane has been a California practicing vet for 22 years. I started explaining and he said no, no. Meet Dr. Kwane Stewart A.K.A. When one of them got deathly ill and almost died, it was absolutely traumatizing to me. But that was it for me. 2. 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