DR. MIKE MORENO: Do you remember the first animal that they brought to your table? Eventually I got to know the dog, but every time I go over, that dog was out of hand, Ill tell you. TREASURE ISLAND DUTCH DESIGN WEEK. Our pets they sit there in pine for us, you know, theyre pulling back the curtains. While solving the issue of homelessness will take many years, for now California has its street vet to make sure these humans and their pets will always have a home in each other. Dr. Kwane Stewart first started his labor of love back in 2011 when he was left heartbroken by the amount of animals being surrendered to his veterinary clinic during the recession. Early in his career he . I didnt know that. DR. KWANE STEWART: I knew I wanted to have that ability or power to heal an animal and that set my path ablaze. Dr. Kwane and HolistaPet Helps gifted the veteran and Princess Leia a new car! 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. Like whats your passion? 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. I packed up my old Mustang right after school, drove straight to San Diego without a job and planted my roots and had been in California since. Were going to look for more of this from you, Im sure, and bigger and better things. DR. MIKE MORENO: I cant imagine. as the most vulnerable population struggling to get care for their pets. When he isnt on the street walking around and looking for animals he can treat, Stewart works for Netflix as a movie set animal expert to ensure the safety of animals on movie and commercial sets. 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. Recordar a su mam en su cuenta de Instagram con una foto seguir a por! Dr. Kwane Stewart (@drkwane) Instagram photos and videos drkwane Verified 219 posts 104K followers 175 following Dr. Kwane Stewart aka @thestreetvet Do what you love & call it work. , January 13, 2021. So, I had been doing it a few years and like I told you, I had now been introduced to Hollywood, and Hollywoods a weird beast. The Street Vet charts the humanitarian exploits of Kwane Stewart, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Facebook. They always make sure their pet is fed. It was the craziest, most unruly dog ever. Im just going to watch him for a little while. A county veterinarian, specifically. So, I dont mind putting aside some of my salary for that. 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. After a long day, I feel my stress leave my body and all the benefit that were now realizing scientifically. DR. MIKE MORENO: I moved from a house that I used to be at, but our neighbor, who I was good friends with, the family, they were there, Russian. Though he's still paying off his student loans, Dr. Kwane Stewart is committed to helping pets and people in need. Long story short, I would just give anything for these cats. "I've always had the affinity for animals. DR. MIKE MORENO: This is the Go Fund Me guys? They had never actually had a veterinarian run the program and I threw my name in the hat, apparently with over one hundred and fifty veterinarians across the country that qualified and somehow I got the job. I always had this big dream of practicing on the beach. You just make assumptions about their story without even knowing anything about them. DR. MIKE MORENO: Yeah it is. "That was the moment for me career-wise that was enlightening. I could end up where you are.. I mean the reward I get from helping and sitting with them and listening to them and sometimes sharing my own personal stories and tearing up its cathartic for me too. I was a little nervous. Estimates say that in America, about 20% of our homeless population own a pet. ANNA: He is only thing that keeps us sane. Stewart helping a man with colon cancer and his dog, Crazy Girl. It was a German shepherd in the kennel. They rely on you for comfort and basic needs. She said, well, not today. He estimates that he has helped around 400 animals since he became "The Street Vet.". In his spare time, he heads to impoverished areas and wanders the streets usually. So, I just talking to him, Jasper, Jasper. These beloved companions are a lifeline for those who call Skid Row home. There are multiple examples I could get similar to that. They are such smart dogs. 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. In fact, Ive seen far more sacrifice from homeless individuals then Ive seen from employed, middle-class people. 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. This process is a journey. This career veterinarian, street vet and Hollywood movie set consultant shares why he moonlights serving the homeless and their pets, what he has learned through outreach on the streets, how pets can be a lifeline, finding his way and living a life of purpose. Animal news isnt limited to animal cruelty. He said that some of the common illnesses he treats are allergies, skin and ear infections, flea infestations, bad teeth, and even arthritis. So, its neat, man. You cried, you laughed for the whole two hours and when we were walking out, I was holding her hand and I looked up at her and I said, When I grow up, I want to be an animal doctor. Malik Daniels/courtesy the street vet Dr. Kwane Stewart drives around town seeking out potential patients to help. Some of the common illnesses the 20-year veterinarian treats include allergies, skin and ear infections, flea infestations, bad teeth, and even arthritis. I came home and he was at ten. Because I will tell you right now, people are chomping at the bit trying to figure out how do we get to you? Theres an energy in the closeness and companionship that I know exists but is still hard to explain or prove. Ive gotten to know the team pretty well. But that was it for me. When you see other people who perhaps arent in a situation that is ideal, you got to remember they have a story, and I dont think anybody would choose to be in the situation that they are in. I sat there starry eyed. So far, he has treated about 400 animals in the nine years he has worked as a street vet. I did it exactly five years to the day because thats when my pension was vested. There are also pawsitive stories that need to be shared so the world knows there are good people like 49-year-old Dr. Kwane Stewart (pictured below), also known as "The Street Vet." More work to be done! 92K Likes, 208 Comments. And Id carve out a small portion of my income because I fronted as much of this as I could. I would carve out time, weekends, little time after work whenever I see a homeless person and just do the work. Right. Bettering the lives of animals through education & awareness is truly my calling. They were from Maldova and he had this German shepherd that only spoke Russian. "The cost of minor treatments like ear infections, flea treatment, or vaccines can be around $100, whereas more serious cases of pet care like a tumor removal or dental with extractions can be $1,500." This is just amazing. 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. She said, well, I, you know, and then she sort of, you know, she was picking and choosing what she wanted to do. 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. Im interested to hear you say, but quite honestly, I think they probably take care of these animals better than people who are more able financially and other. You know, surviving a pit bull attack isnt in my favor and I knew all this. It was sort of a white brownish small breed dog. Ive been dying of colon cancer, but Im okay at the moment; Im getting by. I just think people throw that around so loosely, but that is really a big problem as to why these animals out there. Because its so amazing. They let you know, but shepherds Ive been tagged a couple of times pretty good by hepherds. I dont know what landed them there. Good Life Family will help navigate the challenges of raising good kids kids who will find their own paths to happiness. Polar bear kills woman, boy in remote Alaska village, Man gets 30 years in prison in road rage killing of teen Astros fan, Video shows toddler waving handgun outside apartment; man arrested. DR. MIKE MORENO: I think the Beatles said that best, right. Hes an ER doctor in Portland. 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. What were some of the kind of the stories that came out of doing that? She didnt. For me, Ill quickly tell you, there was one specific moment, and it revolves around a movie. And I look down at these two little guys and you just forget the difficulties and you realize how sweet they are. Their relationship is on a totally different level, he says. We all have a story, and you know, our own minds, were privileged to our own story, but its true. Carrying a bag stocked with both medical supplies and treats, Dr. Kwane spent his time walking through underpasses and alleyways looking for pets and people in need. 484 talking about this. Its airing in 26 countries, not here yet. 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. DR. MIKE MORENO: Lets hear it. Listen, youre doing Gods work. I had my own prejudgments, like a lot of people, about homeless people before I started doing this work, Stewart said. Nearly half of which, at 47% . So, theyre reaching out to me directly saying can you help? It turns out that Go Fund Me gets ten thousand new campaigns started every single day. How do you go through this process with animals? Many people were forced to relinquish their pets because they couldnt afford their medical care, which sparked an idea for Dr. Kwane. I try and post some of the more inspirational moments Ive had on the streets with some of the people, make them uplifting and remind people that kindness these days is does everything and we all need to remember that and try and give back if we can. Check out our suggestions on, in your own community, or read more about the, Found Animals also invites you to learn more about our partners in creating homeless shelters for people and pets , To read more about Dr. Kwane and how he cares for homeless pet owners and their pets, visit his, Leap Venture Studio Accelerator Program Applications Now Open for 2023. Surprisingly, just about every homeless person has a cell phone. No Comments . Ill tell you, the breed that scares me the most and this will probably shock a lot of people. Thats true. Never felt threatened by a pit bull. He really loved his girl. Modesto got hit especially hard, it was ground zero for California as far as job loss and home loss, and people were just dumping their pets in shelters, Stewart told CNN. DR. MIKE MORENO: Oh, he must have lit up. I dont want to do the ear cleaning today. Were seeing the benefits of owning a pet, tangible benefits to our health and wellness that its amazing. GBN Video of the Week: "The Best Man: The Final Chapters" Official Trailer - on Peacock 12/22/22 My girlfriend always laughs because when my cats arent feeling good like I suddenly am not feeling good. In What It Takes to Save a Life, Dr. Kwane shows how our four-legged, feathered, scaled, and swimming family membersthese dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other . Your generosity and kindness in caring for homeless pet owners and their pets make you the perfect choice for our first Better Neighbor Hero. You know when youre getting too close to a dog, your [UNINTELLIGIBLE] their hind end or lifting their tail. I know you mentioned your buddies and E.R. Donate if you can. The answer and this is an absolute to me now, the answer is yes. We loved interviewing Dr. Kwane about what inspires him, and how he has seen pets impact the mental health of the community he serves. Set what language you speak and where you live. So one day in 2011, on a whim, Stewart set up a table at a soup kitchen with his son and girlfriend. DR. MIKE MORENO: God, Im thinking like Black Beauty or something like that. "But suddenly I was thrown into this economic war and people couldn't even afford to help their pets.". So, going back February 2020. Take the time to listen and talk to them. I think theres something to be said about when the animal doesnt feel good that you sort of adopt the same symptoms. It started by dot-commers about ten years ago. When we got to undergrad, he started going down the medical path and I always knew I wanted to be a vet, but we were such close friends, we thought were going to do the same thing. Last year, Dr. Stewart created a GoFundMe page that has raised over $100,000 to treat homeless pets . We decided to start an official nonprofit called Project Street Vet. I had a loving family and friends and you just you know that that kid started out with an innocent, like sort of story. His journey started in '97 as an associate and emergency clinician in San Diego. Remember that moment of Ferris Bueller when the principal put his head through the doggy window and the Rottweilers likehe had that look. Hollywood star George Clooney and British-Lebanese barrister Amal Alamuddin became man and wife at the end of a four-day Venetian extravaganza in September 2014. Mother. DR. MIKE MORENO: Well, thats going to wrap it up. Im trying to think, it was my era. You wont want to miss Kwanes incredible story about how he escaped being attacked by a pit bull by using this Jedi mind trick! So now youre out there, youre doing your thing, and then what happens to get you to now this amazing show on TV. He financed it. I never dreamed of this. I mean, I know thats probably a question you get all the time. Ill tell you I can imagine that bond with and you said its exactly that there with these animals constantly, they dont go off somewhere for eight, ten, twelve hours, theyre with these animals constantly. When there is apathy in a community (which often comes with unemployment or hardship), I believe a pet has the power to heal and elevate that attitude. Dr. Kwane Stewart on Instagram: "My son headed off to college a few months ago and hasn't seen his little sister since.so he decided to surprise her. All Rights Reserved. They also dive deep on dog cloning, vaccines, pet insurance, and the best way to keep your pets safe. DR. KWANE STEWART: Still one of the best movies ever. DR. KWANE STEWART: Yeah, Ive cried. I said, lets go find daddy. Please welcome Dr. Kwane Stewart. Of course. The use of any information provided during this podcast is at the listeners own risk for medical or other advice appropriate to your specific situation, please consult a physician or other trained professional. 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. I made sure I got to the five-year mark and I had to leave. Watch some of the story that will leave you feeling good. Wherever he goes, Dr. Stewart drives prepared and well equipped with his bag full of medicines, food, and treats for the homeless paws. This is of our own creation. They touch our lives. DR. KWANE STEWART: I appreciate that so much. Animal People: Kwane Stewart. Dr. Kwane Stewart has been a veterinarian for over 20 years. Claude of Valois. I have a dog. I can get meds wholesale. The bond is on a much higher plane than with the average pet owner, which I was blown away by. Stewart documents many of his stories through his TV series, Dr. I said, well, you know, really all this at this point, its necessary to treat your pet. DR. MIKE MORENO: Right on! DR. MIKE MORENO: It makes perfect sense. I have a little table over here. Its amazing what these people will sacrifice for their pets. 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