I said, well, you know, really all this at this point, its necessary to treat your pet. As a graduate from Colorado State Universitys renowned veterinary school, Dr. Stewart brings more than 25 years of experience as a veterinarian, including work within Some of the common illnesses he treats include allergies, skin and ear infections, bad teeth and even arthritis. But they often have a lasting effect that can alter the immediate (and sometimes long-term) course of a homeless persons life. How are you? 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. DR. KWANE STEWART: Yeah, I didnt know that at the time. So, hes like Cesar Millan. Some of the common illnesses the 20-year veterinarian treats include allergies, skin and ear infections, flea infestations, bad teeth, and even arthritis. But love exists, too, including the love of pets. I didnt know what a veterinarian was at the time, but I knew. I mean, I think, it would be really more challenging. Tell us about the website and the Go Fund Me. Lets talk about how that came about. We have some books. We were always around animals. Estimates say that in America, about 20% of our homeless population own a pet. I was going to find a way to give back and this was my way. Medically is where they need help.. I go and help homeless people. Robot Love View All Wall Art. Dr. Kwane Stewarts veterinary outreach has helped countless people in need when it comes to their pets May 31, 2022 By Don Vaughan Although some argue the homeless are in no position to care for animals, Dr. Stewart points out that caring for other living beings helps them. For simple treatments, Dr. Stewarts pays out of pocket and raises money through a GoFundMe page for more severe cases that require surgery or further treatment at a hospital, which can cost pet owners thousands of dollars. He lives in San Diego, so I think Im going to pound down his door and find him. I sat there starry eyed. So, I cant imagine what it must be like for them when you fix their animal. 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. At first when it all happened, I was like, hey, these are your cats, arent you going to take them? I told him one of the things I love to do is this street work. Meet Dr. Kwane Stewart. 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. We are proud to name Dr. Kwane Stewart a Better Neighbor Hero. First published on January 22, 2021 / 6:01 AM. Theyre based here in San Diego funny enough. In fact, numerous academic studies over the years have revealed the vital role pets play in the lives of unhoused men and womenproviding structure, purpose, meaning and love. Ive had a lady pull up before a Mercedes come in complaining of an ear infection of her dog, that by the way had it for four or five months, a chronic ear infection she should have addressed a long time ago. Kwane Stewart (@drkwane) Instagram photos and videos drkwane Verified Follow 219 posts 104K followers 175 following Dr. Kwane Stewart aka @thestreetvet Do what All Rights Reserved. Dr. Kwane Stewart was already an experienced veterinarian when he decided to help the less fortunate in his community. Once, a coach asked about his future plans and laughed with disbelief when Kwane told him. Anytime he spotted someone with an animal, he called them over and offered to give their pet a checkup. She looked like a fighter, Stewart said. He was about to go out. "But suddenly I was thrown into this economic war and people couldn't even afford to help their pets.". DR. MIKE MORENO: I think the Beatles said that best, right. I remember taking him to the vet and I remember them looking at me saying, youll know what happened, he an obstruction, his creatinine was ten. Thats not the case. This is of our own creation. DR. KWANE STEWART: Yeah, it was cool and were still very tight today. Were cat lovers, right? DR. KWANE STEWART: You know, when you ask vets this question, youll get different answers, but I think they boil down to a moment or a couple of moments in time in our youth where we sort of have that lightning strike moment or feeling. For these cases, Stewart uses his GoFundMe to cover surgeries and invasive procedures which can cost pet owners thousands of dollars. DR. KWANE STEWART: Now were getting good. I obviously spent time and treated every single breed you can think of it, especially being in a shelter. KWANE STEWART: Who's this? Yeah, youre right. So, my brother and I got to thinking we should just start our own nonprofit. Donate if you can. I was destroying 30 to 50 animals every morning, Stewart says softly. 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. I was chief medical officer for Vet Co. Then about mid-career, so this is going back about 12 years ago, I decided to become, of all things, a shelter vet. "My journey as a street vet started [in Modesto]. Up until then, I'd been practicing high-end medicine for clients who could pay for everything," Stewart told CNN. Photographs by Genaro Molina Los Angeles Times DR. KWANE STEWART, known as the Street Vet, confers with Christina Crayton, 39, right, about the health of Pepper, center, before he examines the dog on L.A.s skid row. They give people a sense of purpose, responsibility and hope. Feb 20, 2020. Dr. Kwane Stewart is known as the "Street Vet." Yeah, totally. He makes rounds in Los Angeles' Skid Row and provides free care to homeless people's beloved pets. We dont always know what theyre getting into. I had my own prejudgments, like a lot of people, about homeless people before I started doing this work, Stewart said. You always hope for the best. If theyre not adopted, they get euthanized. Return to fundraiser. First of all, it was a German shepherd. Now look, out of school, Im buried in debt. DR. MIKE MORENO: It makes perfect sense. He wore scrubs to identify himself, carried a bag filled with meds, vaccines and syringes, nail trimmers, and he did what he could, free of charge. For the homeless, the relationship is on a totally different level. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. I mean, we look in the medical world, we look at serotonin, we look at antidepressants. I never really told anybody about it. Do you think theres some sort of sixth sense or what? Im a veterinarian, Dr. Kwane Stewart, and I offer free pet care to people experiencing homelessness. He gestures at the dog. I was like, yeah, why dont I? as the most vulnerable population struggling to get care for their pets. You talk about spay neuter, the importance of that. I thought that 'You don't get that very often anymore,' " Kristin Youngblood, one of Stewart's clients, said. by Nisha Gopalan June 21, 2022 Walter and Mr. Dinker: I cant let anything happen to him; hes all that I got. Courtesy of Project Street Vet Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. I mean, its got to be amazing. Those pets do their holding time. A classic. I mean, I know thats probably a question you get all the time. What do you do? A Warner Bros. He has this new show, Street Vet, that were going to get into that later. DR. KWANE STEWART: Now the Go Fund Me, I think in that short time it skyrocketed to over a hundred thousand dollars. After a long day, I feel my stress leave my body and all the benefit that were now realizing scientifically. DR. MIKE MORENO: Oh, he must have lit up. 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. Thats not the first time something like that has happened. 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. Tell us a little bit about that. (He also vaccinates the pups.). Im a fan of you and everything youre doing. DR. KWANE STEWART: I knew I wanted to have that ability or power to heal an animal and that set my path ablaze. I was like, you know, man, I feel like Im kind of coasting and I dont know why that is. DR. KWANE STEWART: Yeah, as far as assessing, thats really everything. The man standing outsidethe tent on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles clearly doesnt live in the neighborhood. Meet Dr. Kwane Stewart. I walked back to the backyard and I thought, Okay, now I need to get myself to the fence. Im fortunate for 25 years of laughter, licks & love. I believe medical professionals (dentists, physicians and vets) have immense power to drastically change someones life, especially someone who is in need. They touch our lives. If you raise a dog to fight and train it to fight. It was sort of a white brownish small breed dog. He has occasionally volunteered with larger organizations assisting people who are homeless. Crazy Girl was blind; she had no vision at all. WebStewart T. Landau, MD. 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. Kendrick Brinson And then, you know, you find your spot. I have this burning question. There with a chain link kennel inside of a backyard, like a like an eight by four chain link, maybe four- or five-feet high kennel. So now youre out there, youre doing your thing, and then what happens to get you to now this amazing show on TV. His journey helping pets whose owners were down on their luck has been seen in 26 different countries. DR. KWANE STEWART: Yeah, and about the show, you know, people think, oh, you have a show, you should have plenty of money coming in. That was the moment for me career-wise that was enlightening. MODESTO (CBS13) Dr. Kwane Stewart's love for four-legged friends started way back when he was a child. I call it EE, economic euthanasia. My mother took me to a movie when I was seven. Youre doing amazing work, man. Malik Daniels/courtesy the street vet Dr. Kwane Stewart drives around town seeking out potential patients to help. Lost their job, need a surgery, in need of care. DR. MIKE MORENO: No way. All rights reserved. DR. KWANE STEWART: Its about a majestic black horse and a boy. I mean, animals to me and I think those are you listening, will agree that they are family. I guarantee you theres going to be a seven-year-old Kwane watching a movie in his moms lap and its going to be your movie and youre going to its going to take you back to when you were that individual. We are proud to name Dr. Kwane Stewart a Better Neighbor Hero. Theres an energy in the closeness and companionship that I know exists but is still hard to explain or prove. Menu. I mean, this is this is going to touch a lot of animals and a lot of human lives, quite honestly, because if the animal is well, the human is well as well. Diego, so I think, it was a German shepherd downtown Los Angeles clearly doesnt in. 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