Good People Doing Good Things — Dr. Kwane Stewart

Posted on by under animals, Good people doing good things, Social commentary

Imagine for a moment if you will that you are homeless … you’ve lost most everything you had in life … except your dog.  The only one who still loves you, who faithfully stays by your side through thick and thin, doesn’t care if you haven’t had a shower in days, or if you’ve got that same ugly grey sweatshirt on for the third day in a row.  He cuddles by your side at night, gives you a g’night lick on the cheek, and his is the first face you see when you wake in your makeshift tent on the sidewalk, or under the overpass.  Your best friend … maybe your only friend.Kwane-Stewart-2Meet Dr. Kwane Stewart, DVM.  Nine years ago, Stewart, wanting to show his young son the importance of giving back, spent an afternoon at a soup kitchen offering medical care to the pets of homeless people in Modesto, California.  During this experience, he learned that these animals provided more than companionship to their owners — they also offered love, hope, and security.

“I knew then and there I was going to keep doing it. There’s so much need out there. About 25% of our homeless population own a pet, and I knew that if I set up a table at a soup kitchen, I could help a small group of animals. So that’s what I did. I called over anyone who was holding their pet and told them I’d take a look and vaccinate or treat their pet if I could. That first experience was one of the most rewarding moments for me. When you give back, there is something you get in return that feels much larger. I knew I wanted to keep doing it.”

After examining more than a dozen animals on that first day, he realized there was a need for this type of medical care in his community. What started as a few hours of volunteer work slowly became part of his regular routine.Kwane-Stewart-6He has helped heal more than 400 homeless pets and hopes to continue spreading empathy and awareness around homelessness through his work on the street. He also hopes his mission will encourage other veterinarians to volunteer their time and expertise to help those in need.

“I don’t ever want to have to turn anybody away. The look on people’s faces when they get their pets back, especially after a surgery or a life-saving procedure — those are moments I’ll remember forever.  Anyone has the power to help. You can volunteer at a rescue shelter. You can donate money or time. As that generosity spreads, it helps fuel the positive energy in the world.”

About 98% of the pets Stewart encounters on the streets are dogs — though there are a surprising number of cats and the occasional bird or reptile. While he’s heard comments that homeless people shouldn’t have pets, Stewart doesn’t share that opinion because he’s seen the benefits both to people and the animals themselves.

“To a pet, their owner is their universe. But we go to work and leave our pet alone sometimes eight, 10, 12 hours a day and they just sit and pine for us. Homeless people are with their animal every minute of every day.”

And pets can provide homeless women with a sense of protection and security, and offer hope to their companions — a reason not to give in to despair or fall deeper into drug or alcohol addiction, he said. One man told him, “My dog is more beneficial to me than any pill or therapy session.”Kwane-Stewart-4

“I’ve seen homeless people feed their pet before they feed themselves. I’ve seen them give their last dollar to care for their pet. They sustain each other and that is the power of pet companionship.”

Stewart hopes to challenge preconceived notions of what homeless people are like through a TV show, in which he stars, called “The Street Vet.” He describes it as a “passion project” that he created with his brother. So far, it’s shown in smaller markets in Eastern Europe, Canada and China. While people sometimes assume Stewart is rich because he’s in a show and has had high-profile jobs, such as chief veterinary officer of the nonprofit American Humane, he’s still paying off his student loans from veterinary school. Below is a short trailer from his show … grab your box of tissues first.

Out on the streets, the most common afflictions Stewart sees are flea infestations, ear infections and mild arthritis, but sometimes a pet needs surgery to remove a tumor or rotting teeth. In the past, he would pay for it out of his own pocket; he is grateful to have found reduced-price care at Beverly Oaks Animal Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Laurie Leach, a veterinarian at the practice, has even performed some surgeries pro bono.

Still, costs add up and Stewart doesn’t want to have to turn anyone away, so he started a GoFundMe last fall. Inspired by his efforts, the fundraising site GoFundMe named him the February GoFundMe Hero.Kwane-Stewart-5You may think it’s a small thing … and sure, relative to saving the world it is.  But … to those homeless people whose only friend is their dog or cat … or bird … it means everything.  I give two thumbs up to Dr. Kwane Stewart!  👍 👍

34 thoughts on “Good People Doing Good Things — Dr. Kwane Stewart”

    • I’m so glad you enjoyed it! No matter what else is going on in the world, I try to dedicate each Wednesday morning’s post to ‘good people’ like this one. Thanks for stopping by!

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    • There are lots like him … just not enough. Why? I think because we are living in a society that values the material too much. Greed and arrogance keep us wanting more ‘stuff’ and forgetting about the simple joys like helping others. But, there are still a lot more good people out there than we realize, because they don’t make a big deal of it, don’t go about tooting their own horns.

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    • Indeed it does. That’s why this is a regular Wednesday morning feature on this blog … we need to balance the dark of the political world with a bit of good from the other side. It gives us a chance to remember that there really ARE good people out there!

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  9. An inspirational story Jill. What a wonderful guy. I see a lot of homeless in my neck of the woods up here, and many of them do have pets. As a proud pet owner, I understand the connection. With some, it’s basically their only connection. Pets give so much, yet don’t expect much in return. The doctor is a true hero.

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    • I must admit that I never even thought about homeless people having pets. As I rarely travel past the ‘burbs, I don’t see homeless people up close and personal, but … now I find myself wanting to go buy up several large bags of dog food and take it downtown to the homeless people for their dogs. I just never thought about it before. Yep, the doc is definitely a hero in my book! Glad you liked this one!

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  11. Thank you for sharing!!.. they rapidly go from being pets to being family who’s loyalty and love is second to none!!.. 🙂

    JUST MY DOG
    He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
    My other ears that hear above the winds.
    He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.

    He has told me a thousand times over that
    I am his reason for being: by the way he
    rests against my leg; by the way he thumps
    his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he
    shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.
    (I think it makes him sick with worry when he
    is not along to care for me.)

    When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
    When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
    When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
    When I am a fool, he ignores it.
    When I succeed, he brags.
    Without him, I am only another person.
    With him, I am all-powerful.
    He is loyalty itself.
    He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
    With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace.
    He has brought me understanding
    where before I was ignorant.
    His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
    His presence by my side is protection against
    my fears of dark and unknown things.
    He has promised to wait for me…
    whenever…wherever–in case I need him.
    And I expect I will–as I always have.
    He is just my dog.
    (Author Gene Hill…)

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  14. Jill, it is amazing what we fail to think about in picturing homeless people on the street. The PTSD is high, so a pet can bring comfort. When the social workers I knew helped homeless working mothers, the PTSD for not being able to house their children was high. Taking care of children and even pets gives the adult comfort. (Note I am by no means equating children with pets). Thanks for sharing. Keith

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    • It definitely is, and amazing how some people consider them an eyesore, rather than realizing that they are a testament to the flaws of our society. This man is filling a need that most of us didn’t even realize existed. Glad you liked Dr. Stewart!

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