The University of New Mexico’s Street Medicine program is all about meeting people where they’re at in the community and giving them the care and resources they need. Sometimes those people living on the street have pets who need care, too. A new partner is joining the effort to make that happen.
Every week for the past three months, the UNM Street Medicine team, which operates within the UNM School of Medicine, has held pop-up clinics for people experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque. With support from Albuquerque Community Services (ACS) and other local partners, they provide medical screenings and treatment, connections to UNM Health services and medications, food, water, and clean clothing.
Street Medicine’s new partner, New Mexico Veterans for Pets, or Vets for Pets, has now allowed them to provide those same comprehensive services for animals living on the street as well.
“We are learning from what we're seeing UNM Street Medicine Team do out here in the field—how do you interact with people, how do you make sure you've gathered the data you need—it’s a great model for us,” said Finnie Coleman, PhD, a faculty member at UNM and the leader of Vets for Pets. “These pop-up events have been nothing short of inspiring. The doctors who come out, all of the support staff that come out, the work that they do in this community.”
The not-for-profit program has two missions: help military veterans with PTSD by finding jobs in the pet care industry and help local shelters by caring for animals at risk of being euthanized.
“We are fortunate to have this opportunity to work with Albuquerque Community Services, so we can provide food and water for the animals that are in that community, and then, as we come across veterans that need services, we can refer them to the VA hospital or other organizations that can help veterans,” Coleman said.
The program, which was brought to life during the pandemic, provides veterinary services, medical supplies, food, water, bowls, collars, leashes, and training advice. They even triage animals that have been harmed, have been in fights, or are behaving unusually.
Ramses, a man who said he initially attended the pop-up Street Medicine clinic to learn more about housing opportunities, ended up walking away with some much-needed supplies for his puppy, Troubles.
“They said they have water and bowls for dogs,” Ramses said. “I need a bowl for him, actually—a leash too, so that’s good.”
Coleman said the love that comes from working with animals is healing and unconditional, something he learned firsthand from his own service.
“It is just a great way to have our veterans, who a lot of people might think of as being hard or cold, to allow them to express that human side of themselves, to really nurture and guard something,” he said. “I’m a veteran that is disabled. I'm proud to be a veteran for our country, and this has changed me. It's made me into a very different person than I was before getting involved in this. So, being able to come out here in the community, give back to our community and to also help vets and help animals—I mean, wow.”
Coleman said Vets for Pets would like to be able to provide more food and vaccines to pets in need. For those interested in donating or seeking services, click here.
Street Medicine Wishlist
Follow the links below to read more about UNM Street Medicine.