Dr. Lauren Park and Dr. Tracy Huang would like to thank Maddie’s Fund for awarding Vets in Vans their BIPOC-Led Operating Support Grant. Through this BIPOC-Led Operating Support Grant, Vets in Vans was able to fund staff salary to start working on operations. Without this grant Vets in Vans wouldn’t have been able staff appropriately and the types of services provided through the clinic would have been much more limited. As women of color, Drs LP and TH are excited to see more efforts for inclusivity and diversity in the veterinary field and feel encouraged and optimistic. With a more diverse, inclusive veterinary field, they feel that the veterinary field would be able to mitigate the current crisis of pet surrenders and economic euthanasias by being able to treat and help pets and their owners in a more unprejudiced, compassionate, and inclusive way. We need more BIPOC-led organizations to be able to bring stories to the table for discussion around pet ownership from all backgrounds and cultures— animal welfare can only improve once all stories are listened to and considered. Maddie's Fund® is a family foundation established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield and is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, Maddie. She provided them much joy for over ten years and continues to inspire them today. The Foundation has awarded over $265 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, pioneering shelter medicine education and establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S. Maddie’s Fund proudly offers the industry a national voice, important funding opportunities for bold ideas, learning resources and access to collaborate and share innovative solutions. The Foundation invests its resources in a commitment to keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility.

Gigi is a 15YO FS Pekingese who was recently diagnosed with a painful tooth root abscess at her primary vet clinic. She developed an abscess below her eye that was originating from her teeth. This was causing her to have a finicky appetite. We were able to perform a dental on Gigi the same day as her dental consultation. We removed all her diseased teeth, cleaned out all the infection, and removed all the tartar on her teeth. In order to get an adequate dental cleaning, animal patients must be put under anesthesia to get the plaque/bacteria removed from under the gumline. We use catered anesthetic protocols to minimize patient pain and protocols specific to each patient’s age, underlying systemic disease (if any), and temperament to minimize any stress. Gigi was feeling so much better after her diseased teeth were removed and she was quite the cuddler in recovery. We wish Gigi a lifetime of good, non painful eats and belly rubs!

Ruca is a 7YO female German Shepherd that started vomiting and having diarrhea over the weekend. She was taken to the emergency clinic where they diagnosed her with pyometra. She needed emergency surgery. Her owner brought her to our clinic and we were able to remove her infected uterus and two mammary masses. Bambi is a 5YO female Doberman Pinscher that started having bloody vaginal discharge and she started acting sick. She was taken to the emergency clinic where they diagnosed her with pyometra. She also needed emergency surgery and we were able to remove her infected uterus. Ruca and Bambi were lucky enough to receive treatment in a timely manner and we’re so happy we were able to help! To prevent mammary masses and pyometra, we recommend spaying and neutering your pets early. If you have difficulty affording the cost of spay and neuter, please contact your local shelters and rescues for resources and assistance!

Desi is a 14 YO FS shih Tzu, who came to us after her new owner adopted her from a tough situation. Desi’s previous owner was elderly and disabled and had a hard time keeping up with her care. Desi’s new owner adopted her and urgently brought her to Vets in Vans. Desi needed urgent care. She was severely matted and her fur was strangulating her paws and legs. Her paws were so swollen that we were could not tell if she had tumors on her legs prior to her shave. It turns out she did not have tumors…her paws were just severely swollen. Because Desi was so matted and painful, we had to anesthetize her to get a good shave. It took our vet staff one hour to fully shave off all her fur. She felt so much better after the procedure and her owner was so thankful that we were able to help. Desi’s skin is still irritated from prolonged matting, but we’re hoping that her skin will be back to normal with consistent care. Thank you to Desi’s owner for entrusting us with her care and we are so glad we were able to help!

Veena is an adorable 9YO female spayed teddy bear, who came to us for anal sac impaction. Anal sac impaction is the blockage of the ducts connected to the anal gland sacs that can cause discomfort, irritation, infection, or abscess. Veena has a history of anal sac impaction and she was very uncomfortable. We were able to express her anal sacs, so that her sacs were no longer clogged and she felt much better! We are so happy we were able to make sweet Veena more comfortable! Good luck Veena! And you’re welcome back anytime to make sure your booty is comfortable and healthy ❤️

Do you worry about leaving your loved ones at the vet clinic? At Vets in Vans, we make sure your pet’s care is top priority. Did you know that our mobile surgery vehicle has all the equipment and inventory as a brick and mortar clinic? It is fully outfitted for surgeries: including two anesthesia machines, anesthesia monitoring equipment, one surgery table, one prep table, fluid pumps, fluid lines, pain medications, menagerie of anesthesia drugs to cater our anesthesia protocol dependent on patient’s health status, electrocautery for major surgeries, patient warming systems, and more! We have highly skilled and experienced staff and patient care in our mobile unit is comparable to patient care in a brick and mortar veterinary clinic. Bonus: your pet gets extra cuddles and post surgery love from our Systems Director, Willy. Here are some candid videos of him caring for our patients after they have recovered from surgery. He, as well as the rest of our staff, makes sure all our patients are stress free and comfortable during their stay with us during our clinics. We treat your loved ones like our own!