Rural Area Veterinary Services in Washington

We are excited to share Alycia Kent’s experience below, funded by Charlie’s Angels fund.

At the beginning of May, I spent a week in Washington State with Rural Area Veterinary Services, providing free care to the Coleville area. For seven days, we slept on the gym floor of a community center and met clients who had driven hours to our clinic. This trip was a monument in helping build my confidence clinically as I rotated through anesthesia and surgery. I became more comfortable with my physical exams, performed my first surgery EVER, placed my first catheter in a live patient, and intubated for the first time. So many firsts! Most importantly, it helped me understand more deeply what the spectrum of care means. In my Master of Public Health program before veterinary school, we focused heavily on human social determinants of health, and this trip made it very clear that many of the same factors can be applied to veterinary care. The incredible love warmed my heart these owners showed for their pets and the gratitude they expressed for our services. We provided care to over 350 animals in that week, and I have developed a serious interest in finding ways to provide affordable and accessible veterinary care in rural communities. I am incredibly grateful that Charlie’s Angel’s Grant allowed me to participate in this experience that has significantly impacted the direction of my veterinary career. Thank You!!