In The News
If you see an SDC story we missed, please let us know and we’ll add it to our archive. Thank you!
One Wild World: A Podcast About Animals
Do You Really Need a Home To Take Care of a Dog? Feat. Katrina Weschler & Hilary Wheeler
Free medical care for pets of those experiencing homelessness
9.25.24
The Grey Muzzle Organization provides grant for care
“This grant will help us give senior dogs like Susie Q a medical alert service dog for SDC client Judy,” says Katrina Weschler of SDC…”
9.11.24
Street Dog Coalition holds free clinic Saturday morning
8.17.24, Rogue Valley, OR
Madison free clinic
Underdog Pet Rescue and The Street Dog Coalition joins collaborate to provide care
8.7.24
The Street Dog Coalition: Providing pet services for owners experiencing homelessness
8.2.24, Madison, WI
Cooling compassion: Heat relief for people and pets facing homelessness
8/12/24
Safety Net Programs for Pets
Article by Roxanne Hawn
Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s new partnership to support pet parents, pets in need
Overland Park, KS, 7/5/24
The Street Dog Coalition: Holistic, Humane Healing for the Unhoused of all Species
Article from Tucson Dog Magazine, Tucson, AZ, 3/30/34
Care for one, care for all
Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP, Emeritus, is working to help ensure pets from all walks of life can get the care they need while helping their owner along the way.
Fort Collins, CO. 6/28/24
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Colgate-Palmolive team up to care for unhoused pets
Austin,TX, 6/27/24
The Street Dog Coalition and AVMA partner for clinic
Austin, TX. 6/26/24
Hill's host Austin clinic with The Street Dog Coalition
Austin, TX. 6/25/24
Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Colgate-Palmolive company partner with The Street Dog Coalition
Austin, TX. 6/24/24
Veterinarians provide health care services for pets of Austin's unhoused population
Austin, TX. 6/23/24
AVMA and Street Dog Coalition team up to aid homeless pets and owners in Austin
Austin, TX. 6/23/24
Columbia, SC hosts first SDC clinic
“We’re here to provide the service so they can keep their pet, and that can keep their mental health, their physical health, their pets happy, as well as themselves,”
Columbia, SC. 6/13/24
SDC partners for Community Resource Fair
Columbia, SC. 6/5/24
An Ashland cat gets care from free mobile vet clinic
“For a lot of Street Dog clients, Cuddy says, their companion animal is “the one stable relationship in their life. It’s the one being that loves them. That bond is really valuable, and it’s not any less than it is for anybody else.”
Rogue Valley, OR, 5.27.24
One Health Clinics are Catching on
Check out this great article illustrating how the One Health model comes to life in New York City, Seattle, Tucson and Colorado. SDC is proud to be a part of this movement as we strive to care for lives on both ends of the leash at community health fairs and pop-up street clinics across the country.
Local Veterinary Practice Joins Forces with SDC to Provide Free Care for Boston’s Unhoused Population
Boston, MA. 3/3/24
Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards Spotlight: The Street Dog Coalition
(3.6.24)
Decatur, IL hosts inagural clinic
Decatur, IL. 2.26.24
Donation helps Topeka Street Dog Coalition
Pets are like family - and that’s true no matter how wealthy you may or may not be.
Topeka, KS. 2.21.24
Homeless pets are getting free care
From grooming to rabies shots, nonprofits are working to make sure no animal is left behind.
Colorado Springs, CO. 1.28.24
Caring for both ends of the leash
“She goes everywhere with me,” he said. “She brings me comfort and safety. She’s always watching my back, and I watch hers.”
Topeka, KS. 1.19.24
Housing pets of the homeless pets during cold snap in Topeka
Topeka, KS. 1/17/24
Something Good in the Neighborhood:
The Street Dog Coalition
NOCO Style Magazine recently covered our Northern Colorado team in their section that provides "uplifting and inspiring stories to restore your faith in humanity," and they delivered!
Fort Collins. 1.2.24
Asheville Clinic
Caring for the lives at both ends of the leash -- that’s the goal of the free Asheville veterinary clinic.
Asheville, NC. 12.10.23
Wichita hosts pop up clinic
“I want veterinary care to be accessible to everyone and every pet,” Lauren Herd, team lead for the Street Dog Coalition Wichita, said.
Wichita, KS. 12.9.24
Wichita Veterinarian caring for lives on both ends of the leash
“A lot of people will care for their pets over care for themselves,” said Herd. She added, “We have to break down those stigmas and make sure that people understand that they are people too and they are allowed to have their companions.”
Wichita, KS. 12.5.24
Free vet services to pets of homeless Vermonters
An all-volunteer team of veterinarians provide vaccinations, exams, tests, and more for the pets that come in. Supplies were provided by the national Street Dog Coalition network, a nonprofit based in Colorado.
Burlington, VT. 12.4.24
Burlington Clinic
Just 45 minutes into the clinic, vets had already seen around 40 dogs. SDC Team Lead, Dr. Michele Tulis, expected another 60 by the end of the day.
Burlington, VT. 11.18.2023
Wichita’s first clinic
The group provides free pet care to people at risk of or facing homelessness. Pets were able to get vaccines, heartworm tests, and exams.
Wichita. KS. 11.11.23
SDC in Boise!
"It doesn't matter if you have a home or not, these pets provide unconditional love to these people and so we're trying to help them, no judgment, and give them the care that they need to keep their pets around."
Boise, ID. 11.11.23
Powered by Love
“Petco Love knows pets are family and we strive to take care of them the best we can, though the reality is not everyone has equal access to veterinary care as many pet parents face difficult financial times,” said Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love. “That’s why we are proud to support our partner animal welfare organizations in providing helpful services in their communities, so we can keep pets and their families together.”
The hardest working muscle is the heart, and furries know how to use it...
11.5.2023 | PacAnthro is a scrappy little Anthropomorphic organization with a lot of pluck! One who believes that animal and human welfare intrinsically go hand in hand. Through education of anthropomorphics arts, literature, and performance, as well as raising funds to support animal related charities, they strive to promote the wellbeing of people and animals together. They are a small community with a big heart, and we are SO glad they selected The Street Dog Coalition as their ‘23 Charity. Thank you, PAWcon!
Why It Matters
Rebecca Shipman, Executive Editor of PetVet Magazine, featured SDC in a “Why It Matters” column, spotlighting non-profit veterinary programs and organizations. In this issue, the spotlight is on SDC and how we provide compassionate care and advocacy to both ends of the leash.
Local veterinarian returns to Ukraine to help bring sense of normalcy to pet owners
10.1.2023 | FOX31 | Courtney Fromm covers the return of SDC’s Founder, Dr. Jon Geller, to Ukraine after his first trip in March 2022.
Serving pets of Lansing homeless
(9.24.2023)
NBC Montana
Our Missoula team made the news on 9.15.23 when they hosted their monthly clinic at the Poverello Center. Click here (or on the photo) to view the video.
Missoula hosts Street Dog Coalition clinic
“Adding a pup just increases it because now you have two things to feed and keep clean. But as far as the love you get from it, nothing better,” he said. “Nothing better than having a pup that loves you.” (9.15.2023)
Free vet clinic held in Charleston for animals owned by those experiencing homelessness
The Street Dog Coalition on Tuesday held a free vet clinic for pets owned by those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Volunteers gave dogs free health exams, vaccines, heartworm tests and parasite preventative.
(9.12.2023)
Tucson free veterinary clinic
“I’m homeless and until we get the dogs with the rabies and the proper vaccines.” Owners like Michelle are exactly why the Street Dog Coalition hosts this event. (9.10.2023)
SDC in Ithaca, NY
“You can tell when we talk to [pet parents] how much it means to them to…just help them when they need help.” WENY News, 9.5.23
Grey Muzzle Grant
Helps SDC in Colorado
“We’re very strong supporters of taking care of lives on both ends of the leash and that’s a huge part of who we are,” Dr. Wheeler said. “We’re not here to make people feel sorry for animals that are living with people that are experiencing homelessness. We’re here to show them how important that bond is and it gets even deeper as animals get older.”
FOX31/KWGN Colorado News, 8.26.23
Asheville Free Clinic
The local chapter of the nonprofit Street Dog Coalition set up operations to provide free pet care. The nonprofit provides medical attention for pets of individuals who are homeless or at-risk, free of cost. (8.20.2023)
Editor’s pick
Missoulian.com returned to the Poverello Center on August 18, 2023 to share the story of SDC’s Missoula’s team with their readers once again (their first story was published on 12.27.22).
SDC Missoula
The Street Dog Coalition provided free health care for pets today. Free exams, vaccines, heartworm tests and parasite preventatives were available for the pets of people experiencing homelessness. (8.18.2023)
Veterinary33 interviews SDC
Alexandra Koffler, Edra Publishing USA, interviewed three of SDC’s leaders at the AVMA Convention in July 2023 about The Street Dog Coalition’s history, outreach, and community collaborations. 8.15.23
Partners n Paws in Pittsburgh
As illustrated in this sweet photo of Thor getting a core vaccine, it helps having more than one set of hands on deck. Which is why we’re grateful for the many collaborations we have in Pittsburgh! 8.9.23
Healthy Hearts & Happy Tails in Greeley, CO
The Street Dog Coalition helps dozens of pets at first Greeley clinic for people experiencing homelessness. Click here to view the article by Trevor Reid, 8.1.23.
Sacramento, CA
Volunteers from the Street Dog Coalition spent the morning giving out free health exams, vaccines and tests in the parking lot of the Sierra Health Foundation. Unhoused individuals who spoke with KCRA 3 said the event gives them hope because of how the community put on this event for them. Click here to view the video.
Our Los Angeles team works in unbridled collaboration with Pets’ Landing and we are always blown away by the services they offer both ends of the leash. (Video by John Hwang)
Unhoused residents of Colorado Springs say pets keep them grounded
by Alison Berg, Zach Ben-Amots
Published on June 6, 2023 on Rocky Mountain PBS. Click here for the full story.
Topeka Headlines
CLICK HERE for a “Salute our Heroes” video news story featured on Topeka’s WIBW.
CLICK HERE for a WIBW video news story highlighting how SDC Topeka cares for both ends of the leash.
The “Helping High”
Hilary Wheeler, DVM, is SDC’s Medical Director and Bay Area Team Lead. In this article, she credits volunteering for SDC with getting her through the pandemic. “I call it ‘the helping high’—the level of gratitude is so striking for sometimes doing the simplest thing for their pets. It’s so different from what we do regularly at our day jobs. And it’s so fulfilling.” Her advice to veterinary professionals who feel too burned out to volunteer is simple: “Just show up once and see what it’s like. I promise anyone who does will go home feeling recharged and refueled.”
The Human-Animal Bond is Stronger than War and Homelessness
Bruce Hallmark interviewed Jon Geller about Operation Ukraine for his recent article in the Colorado State University AlumLine newsletter. Click here for the full article.
No pet left behind:
Missoula SDC clinics offer free medical care to pets of people experiencing homelessness. CLICK HERE to read the full story.
Field Experience
Albert Einstein said it simply: “The only source of knowledge is experience.” So, while theories may be revealed in the classroom, it’s through actual experience that they come vividly into focus. The UMN School of Public Health recognized long ago that this was true for its students, one of which is SDC’s Founder and National Director, Dr. Jon Geller. Click here to read more.
SDC’s founder, Dr. Jon Geller, was chosen for the 2022 ASPCA Henry Bergh award after traveling to the Romanian-Ukraine border to provide veterinary care and pet passport services to the pets of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
Fort Collins veterinarian honored for work helping Ukrainian war refugees and their pets
“Fort Collins veterinarian Dr. Jon Geller, Founder of The Street Dog Coalition that cares for pets owned by people experiencing homelessness, has been awarded a top honor by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA.” Click here for the full article written by Pat Ferrier and published 9.21.22.
Experts in the Field
While we work with pets of people experiencing homelessness who don’t have a backyard to fence, we were selected by Redfin as a notable expert in the field!
CLICK HERE to read the article we were featured in: How to Create a Dog-Proof Fence. Thanks for trusting our judgment, Redfin, and directing your readers to our website! We hope it leads to more support for our mission.
Click here for an episode of The Community Cats Podcast (#453) featuring Dr. Jon Geller (SDC’s founder) who talks about the services The Street Dog Coalition provides to cats, as well as to their owners, in an effort to care for both ends of the leash.
“I think they all got wings,” said William Love, who brought his wiener dog Wyatt to get checked up. “These (pets) are just as important as humans and they take care of all of us.” CLICK HERE to read the full story in the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald.
Click here to read an Opinion piece from the Chronicle of Philanthropy entitled “Nonprofits That Serve People Should Also Support Their Pets,” written by Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada.
A Labor of Love
CLICK HERE for an article written by Chelsea Lyn Agro with photography by Erika Spaulding Originally published in Missoula Valley Lifestyle.
Click here for a short, heartwarming video featured on Channel 13 WIBW.TV news highlighting our Topeka Team Lead, Dr. Allison Crow, and her community partners, Valeo Behavioral Health Care and Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries.
In this PrideVMC Blog, Dr. Robert Duquette writes about his support of The Street Dog Coalition (in partnership with Merck Animal Health) to underscore Merck Animal Health’s unconditional commitment to pets, pet owners, and those who care for them.
Click any photo above to read an article published in Florida Today about a recent One Health Clinic in partnership with Brevard Health Alliance at Daily Bread, Inc.
“It’s them and their pet against the world…”
Many thanks to the Denver Post for this article, which prompted several readers to contact us and offer to pay for Buster's surgery.
People experiencing homelessness with pets find help from CSU faculty, students
A collaboration between faculty and students in social work and veterinary medicine at Colorado State University has blossomed into a weekly session where people experiencing homelessness receive free health care for their pets — and themselves.
Dr. Tracey Rock & Dr. Bridget Hanley have been donating their #VetMed skills to local [Pittsburgh] communities through the Street Dog Coalition. Dedicated to providing free veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness, SDC is honoring & preserving the human-animal bond.
We see you, Minneapolis.
Minneapolis veterinarians offer free pet care to pets of owners facing homelessness. The pop-up clinic gives pets free basic medical care as well as medications for skin and eye infections (9.18.2020).
On the air with WMEL2020
Radio
WMEL2020 radio interviewed SDC’s Team Lead in Brevard County, FL, Dr. Michelle Dally, and SDC’s Founder, Dr. Jon Geller. (9.7.2020)
'Street Medicine' Team Serving Bakersfield's Unhoused Neighbors
A pregnant woman living in a tent near the Kern River, a 66-year-old man suffering from asthma while living in a van, a middle-aged woman bedding down in a dark, cold, abandoned industrial facility in east Bakersfield. They all have three things in common: They are experiencing homelessness, have medical needs, and received a visit on Thursday morning from a team of medical professionals practicing guerrilla patient care known as "street medicine.” Click here to read more. (2.15.2020)
“He gives my life purpose.”
Ryder, a Catahoula/Labrador/pit bull mix, awaits a checkup at a Street Dog Coalition clinic while his owner Shamus butler (center) gives information on his pet to veterinarian Rebeca Uribe. “He’s my best friend, my companion, my partner, my son, my brother,” Butler said about his dog. “He’s everything to me, and I want to make sure that he’s taken care of before anything. He gives my life purpose.” (1.21.2020)
What greater responsibility is there than caring for another being?
12.20.2019
Breaking the Bubble
SDC’s Founder, Dr. Jon Geller (featured right) speaks about the value of volunteering: "I started seeing veterinary medicine as a bubble somewhat insulated from the swirling issues unfolding outside its boundaries: homelessness, abject poverty, racism, addiction. This work with the homeless has helped me break out of that bubble and feel more engaged." (11.11.2019)
Helping him helps me.
Montoya was chronically homeless in her 20s and things were finally getting better when she says she was recently hit with a road block. "I'm going through some tough stuff in my life right now and having him to take care of, it gives me a reason not to go off the deep end." (7.15.2018)
Veterinarians offer free care for 'street dogs' and in turn, their owners
Let's face it, pets are family; and even when you don't have a home, they come first. One non-profit group of dedicated veterinarians, is helping make sure these "street dogs" are getting the care they need, much to the relief of their human companions. (4.18.2018)
Providing a Purpose
"For every homeless person who has no incentive to get up in the morning because no one cares, they get up to take care of the dog. It gives them a purpose in life." (2.20.2018)
