Caring Lifeline w/ Kwane Stewart

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The Crucial Relationship Between Dogs and the Unhoused

About The Episode

Ever since he was seven years old, Kwane Stewart wanted to be a veterinarian. As he got older and fulfilled his destiny, he was trying to find the right specific fit for him as a vet. He started off working for hospitals within the Petco retail centers, called Vetco, where he eventually became Chief Medical Officer. However, due to circumstances with a divorce after, Kwane decided he wanted to stay close to his son and go to a new town where he took a job as a vet at a shelter.

The shelter where Kwane took the job was in Modesto, California, which was hit hard during the recession – which happened to be the time he was there. Their euthanasia rates increased and it was emotionally wearing on Kwane, who started to really consider his career choice.

During this time, Kwane was going to a 7-Eleven one day to get some coffee and gas. On his way in, he saw a homeless man and his dog. Kwane recognized them, although had not acknowledged them in the past. He noticed the dog had a skin issue, and offered to help. Kwane came back later with some medicine, and the dog was good as new in no time – making both the dog and his human counterpart very happy.

After feeling so down from his shelter work, Kwane realized that maybe he had another option. Maybe he had just discovered a new way to help people. That moment was a turning point.

Kwane started to help treat more and more dogs of people on the street, who always were especially appreciative of his services and kindness. Doing this work, Kwane realized how many judgements and pre-conceived notions he had been making himself about homeless - or unhoused - before he got to know them better.

Dogs were not only the reason for Kwane interacting with these people and getting to know them better, but they were also a connecting force. He saw how dogs motivate them every day to keep going, to give them companionship, to strive for the future they want, and be the support system that many don’t have. Plus, Kwane says, the dogs of the unhoused tend to be the most well-behaved, most socialized, and most connected to their people.

Growing up, Kwane had been a bi-racial kid with “crazy wiry hair and these big buck teeth” as he describes it. He was teased and bullied, which gave him a personal insight into a feeling of “otherness” and empathy for those treated as less than by society. And just like he found his solace in his pets at that time, so do the unhoused. It’s so important to have that unconditional love and support that a dog can help provide.

Now through his Project Street Vet nonprofit, veterinarians from around the country and joining to support and do the same work in their own cities. While Kwane primarily works in Los Angeles and big homeless areas there like Skid Row, the nonprofit street vet teams now also cover major cities such as Atlanta, Washington DC, San Francisco, Orlando, and more. And with his new book, What It Takes to Save a Life: A Veterinarian's Quest for Healing and Hope, maybe he’ll inspire more the join the mission as well.

About The Guest - Dr. Kwane Stewart

Dr. Kwane Stewart graduated from the renowned Colorado State University veterinary program, and has now been practicing as a vet for over 22 years. While his work started in hospitals and shelters, Kwane later took to the streets – helping the pets of the homeless, or unhoused. After working with an estimated 1,000+ pets, he and his brother Ian Stewart decided to start Project Street Vet – a nonprofit with the mission of providing medical care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness. Kwane also served as the Chief Veterinary Officer of American Humane, including being Director of their No Animals Were Harmed program to protect over 100,000 animals every year around the globe on film and TV sets. His new book, What It Takes to Save a Life: A Veterinarian's Quest for Healing and Hope, tells the story of his journey and what he’s learned.

Featured Links

InterviewJack SommerRescue / Service, People Working w/ Dogs