Working with indigent veterinary clients: Shining a light with Shadow
'I'm able to align my beliefs with my work by working with pets of the homeless,' Colorado doctor says.
"Friendlessness is part of being on the street, so that dog fills that role of family and friend," says Fetch dvm360 conference speaker Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP. This is why he's passionate about working with homeless clients.
Dr. Geller shared the story of one veteran's dog, Shadow, who needed arthroscopy in his knees. In conjunction with the Veterans Stand Down program and a clinic in Denver, they were able to make the procedures happen and return Shadow to a condition of resuming walks with his owner.
More on pets and the homeless
Letters to dvm360: Views on homeless pet ownership.
'Can you believe that homeless guy owns a pet?!'
How to help homeless pets have a special holiday.
Dr. Geller puts a finer point on it:
"Sometimes for these homeless veterans, they can have thoughts of suicide, so in a case like this often their dogs are the only thing between them and ending their lives," he says.
Hear more of Dr. Geller's story in this video.
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