Associate Veterinary Clinics (AVC) helps protect pets with free rabies vaccination clinic for families in need, while addressing a major public health concern
A pop-up rabies clinic in a central Hamilton neighbourhood administered 200 free vaccines to dogs and cats this spring in an effort to address the recent rabies outbreak in the area and to help people and their pets stay healthy.
AVC, a network of more than 80 companion animal hospitals in Canada with more than 2,000 team members and 350 veterinarians, teamed up with St. Matthew’s House to run the day-long outdoor clinic in the Barton Street East region of Hamilton. The initiative was part of AVC’s ‘Paw It Forward’, a national philanthropic program that promotes community leadership and engagement to help improve the lives of pets.
Hamilton residents lined up to wait for the clinic to begin a couple hours before the 9 a.m. start time on May 18. More than 30 volunteers including veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, client care associates and industry partners gave their time to the cause. Owners expressed gratitude for the initiative, and the positive impact of the day was felt by all throughout the duration of the clinic.
“We knew the impact of our clinic would be beneficial for the Hamilton area given the recent rabies outbreak in the region,” said Jen Danyliw, Senior Regional Operations Director, Ontario, Associate Veterinary Clinics (AVC). “To be able to tackle a need in the community and give back to those who need it, while simultaneously contributing towards addressing a growing health problem was extremely rewarding. Helping pets is the reason many of our volunteers chose to get into our industry in the first place,” Danyliw added.
Steve Noonan, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and an alumnus of the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, participated in the clinic and helped administer the vaccines to pets.
“The Paw It Forward rabies clinic reminded all of us how much pets mean to people. The clinic was an incredible illustration of the human-animal bond,” said Noonan, who is a Veterinary Technical Consultant with Elanco Animal Health. “Giving back and helping pets receive the care they needed was very fulfilling.”
AVC plans to expand their Paw It Forward rabies clinics across the country in the coming months.
A special shout out to all of the partners and supporters that made this initiative a success: Elanco, Zoetis, Merial, Bayer, Vetoquinol, Public Health, Ministry of Health, St. Matthews House, OAVT and OVC Pet Trust.
Visit AVC’s Facebook page to see video highlights from the day.