Last summer, I got an email from UTCVM’s Companion Animal Initiative Team (CAIT) about their program to provide Vets for Pets of Homeless Owners (VPHO). Every month, a handful of veterinarians, students, and other volunteers set out to a spot in Knoxville to meet with the people who can’t afford care for the pets they love.
I hadn’t done it before. The dates were inconvenient, the time was late, and my schedule was packed. However, I was free from classes, and I liked the idea of giving back to my community. I signed up. Two weeks later, I was out there in a parking lot with a clipboard, trying to help keep the whole system organized.
I was able to learn so much out there that first night. I did physical examinations, gave vaccinations, and treated the pets for parasites. I talked to the owners about their concerns, and I learned what they needed from us. I had spent a lot of time in general practice and emergency clinics where the stress over cost of care was always high. I had heard the discussions about whether it was right to keep pets if you couldn’t afford their necessary care, although the definition of necessary care always seemed to fluctuate, depending on who you ask.
I was able to learn so much out there that first night. I did physical examinations, gave vaccinations, and treated the pets for parasites. I talked to the owners about their concerns, and I learned what they needed from us. I had spent a lot of time in general practice and emergency clinics where the stress over cost of care was always high. I had heard the discussions about whether it was right to keep pets if you couldn’t afford their necessary care, although the definition of necessary care always seemed to fluctuate, depending on who you ask.
I went back the next month. Then more months after that. I recognized the regulars who came every month, and I learned the routine. I felt like I was helping people. I liked the owners. I also liked learning from the different veterinarians volunteering there. I got to see different styles and learn from veterinarians with different backgrounds. They showed me how to make do with few resources, a skill that is valued in many clinics.
The pets were cute, and I loved seeing them. However, it was the people that kept me coming back whenever I could. The clients were thankful, and the other volunteers were great teachers. I became familiar with the system, even as things changed. The seasons shifted, and my nights went from sweltering to shivering. No two nights were the same. With new experiences every time, I kept returning, to help myself and my community.
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