WSU wellness clinic offers care to people and their pets

By Josh Babcock, College of Veterinary Medicine

Serena Simmons not only got her dog, Sharon, all caught up on her vaccines but also is now one step closer to having a home to call her own — thanks in part to Washington State University’s Healthy People + Healthy Pets free clinic.

“All of this is going to help when I go to apply for an apartment or a house, so when I go in and show them, ‘hey, look my dogs are vaccinated and neutered,’ they are more likely to choose us as tenants,” said Simmons, a guest at The Way Out Bridge Housing Center in Spokane.

For at least seven years, the Healthy People + Healthy Pets clinic in Spokane has offered free health care services to low-income people or people experiencing homelessness and their pets. WSU veterinary and nursing students work together in the clinic under the direction of faculty members to provide routine vaccinations, immunizations, health screenings, and simple treatments to people and pets, all at no cost.

Simmons’ dog, a Chihuahua-pug mix named after Sharon Osbourne, was one of 41 animal patients cared for at Thursday’s clinic. A handful of human patients were also provided preventative care, mostly immunizations shots against the flu, COVID-19, and other viruses.

Unemployed and unhoused until earlier this year, Amy Fain couldn’t afford to miss the free wellness clinic on the WSU Spokane campus — her 9-year-old Chihuahua, Hercules, suffers from what is suspected to be a dislocated knee.

WSU veterinarians confirmed the dislocation after performing a physical exam of the dog. Fain said she is considering next steps, including taking advantage of WSU’s Good Samaritan program — established to help animals in need of care whose owners cannot afford treatment — to alleviate more of the financial burden.

The visit to this fall’s Healthy People + Healthy Pets marks the second in a row for Hercules.

“His quality of life is so much better,” Fain said. “I’m almost speechless because this place really has helped me so much and the students have been so kind. You know, I don’t forget somebody’s kindness, and what they do, it has an impact, and it really does save lives.”

In addition to Hercules’ care, Fain said she received her latest COVID-19 booster shot, a flu shot and an HPV vaccine — all immunizations she likely would have gone without if she didn’t bring Hercules to the clinic.

A variety of toiletries, feminine health care products, gloves and other winter clothes, underwear, and necessary pet supplies like food, toys, and collars were all available to clinic attendees thanks to the support of Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Human vaccines were provided by Range Community Clinic, a nonprofit academic health network.

Fourth-year veterinary student Toniley Bates, who volunteered at the clinic, said the event was centered around community building, and it has inspired her to try to offer similar programs when she is in practice.

“I think it’s important that anybody who wants a pet should be able to have a pet. Animals greatly improve people’s lives and help us cope with things we might not otherwise have been able to on our own,” Bates said. “I like to come and help out in any way I can. We have the skills and knowledge to share, and that shouldn’t be kept from anyone who needs it.”