Pet Care and People Care with Dr Kwane Stewart
If you’ve ever had a pet, you felt the profound connection you have with them. Cat, dog, bird, you love your pet, and you want them to live happily. Pet care is a two-way thing — they love you just as much as you love them. And if we can care for animals, we can care for each other too.
On this episode of the Radically Loved Podcast, we interview Dr Kwane Stewart, a 25-year practicing veterinarian who shares his journey of becoming the "street vet" after working at a shelter. Their journey highlights why we should always appreciate our loved ones — people and pets alike. Dr Kwane tells his stories of inspiration, kindness, and pet care.
If you’re someone who advocates for better pet care and loves animals, this episode is for you.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover a vet’s eye view into pet care and what it’s like in an animal shelter.
Learn how and why we should empathize with all people, especially the homeless.
Understand when euthanasia for your pet is an act of love.
Resources
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Episode Highlights
[02:40] How Kwane Became “The Street Vet”
Kwane was a shelter veterinarian, but it took a toll on him.
He left the profession, but was saved by a homeless man’s dog. The dog had severe skin problems, but Kwane treated and transformed it.
He then provided free medical assistance to homeless people’s pets so they could experience better pet care.
[10:43] Solving the Problem of Homelessness
There’s love in showing empathy and acknowledging people’s problems, especially homeless people.
[12:31] "Sometimes I just want to know that I matter, that I still matter or that I'm seen. So if you happen to be crossing paths with someone, one of these folks one day, you don't always have to dig in your pocket sometimes just saying hello or how are you treating them like you would at another human instead of ignoring them." - Click Here To Tweet This
It would be a good idea to donate to funds that sponsor the pets of the homeless.
More people need to move in the right direction and show concern for their fellow people.
[16:02] It’s Not About Breed
Kwane has treated several different dog breeds, but their least favorite is the German Shepherd. He’s been bitten multiple times.
Unhoused street dogs tend to be well-behaved and intelligent. They also usually form powerful bonds with their owners.
Although German Shepherds are Kwane’s least favorite breed, he has his own adopted German Shepherd mix. They require a lot of attention sometimes!
[20:21] True Empathetic Pet Care
Animal shelters should be a positive part of their communities.
[21:05] "A good city shelter should be part of the city, like a library or a park." - Click Here To Tweet This
Kwane worked tirelessly to improve the shelter where he worked. He plans to return to being a shelter veterinarian.
Kwane was the chief vet for American Humane and ran the “No Animals Were Harmed” Program, which protected animal welfare in film.
He later became a veterinarian for Netflix.
[25:04] "We just didn't give enough attention to the emotional side of the pet. It's been more the physical." - Click Here To Tweet This
Tune into the full episode for a vet’s eye view of how your pet might feel about grooming.
[31:06] The Hardest Journey: Euthanasia
Kwane has had more experience than he’d like with euthanasia.
His advice is: you know your pet better than anybody. Think of your pet as if it were your child.
In a way, it’s just as much a part of pet care as housing and feeding them.
[33:15] "It's better to do it a week too soon than a month too late. And the reason is when you try and extend their life artificially too much too long." - Click Here To Tweet This
Ask yourself: are you holding on to your pet for you?
[34:25] How Kwane Feels Radically Loved
Kwane wants everyone to remember that all the people out there are just people. They’re like you, and most people are two or three steps away from being homeless themselves.
[36:26] "The big lesson for me is I learned that kindness is a superpower...an act of kindness can change somebody's life." - Click Here To Tweet This
Kwane loves what he’s doing, and loves having the ability to save an animal’s life.
At the end of the day though, it’s about family, children, and his partner.
About Dr Kwane Stewart
Kwane Stewart is a 25-year practicing veterinarian who started his career working at a shelter. He witnessed the overwhelming number of abandoned pets and worked tirelessly to reduce the euthanasia rate. He was exhausted, but reignited his passion for saving animals when he rescued a homeless man’s dog. Kwane’s story is a testimony to the emotional ties pet parents have with their furry friends and the importance of veterinarians in ensuring their health and wellness.
Today, Kwane is on the board of Project Street Vet, a humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting and medically caring for the pets of unhoused people.
You can connect with Kwane on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
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To feeling radically loved,
Rosie