On a sunny morning in Ashland, the parking lot of OHRA (Opportunities for Housing, Resources & Assistance) becomes a haven for pets and their owners seeking veterinary care. The Street Dog Coalition, in partnership with Talent’s Rogue Valley Street Dogs, hosts a free veterinary clinic, primarily serving dogs but also accommodating a few cats, including Babygirl, a cat brought by OHRA resident Paula Jacobson.
Babygirl, securely nestled in the pouch of Jacobson’s walker, is there to receive a harness and necessary veterinary care. Jacobson, encouraged by OHRA staff, decided to bring her cat to the clinic for a check-up and a spay appointment. “I wanted to get a harness so I could bring her outside with me when I smoke,” Jacobson shares.
Laurie Cuddy, president of Rogue Valley Street Dogs, initiates the registration process, marking the first of eight stations Babygirl will visit. As Jacobson completes the paperwork, Babygirl, initially calm, starts to show signs of restlessness, needing reassurance and comfort throughout the clinic’s procedures.
Founded in 2013 as a program of Friends of the Animals and now an independent 501(c)(3) since 2021, Street Dogs focuses on enhancing the quality of life for pets affected by houselessness and poverty. The collaboration with the Street Dog Coalition, a national organization, brings free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Despite the name, Street Dogs assists cats as well, having distributed substantial food supplies and medical care to both cats and dogs.
Jacobson and Babygirl’s journey through the clinic is a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by pet owners in vulnerable situations. Babygirl, who was found as a stray by Jacobson’s late husband, receives her vaccines, a microchip, and a nail trim despite her feisty resistance. The clinic’s volunteers, including veterinarian Leanne Kline and retired pet groomer Kent Bailey, handle Babygirl with care, ensuring she receives the necessary treatments.
For many clients like Jacobson, their pets represent their most significant emotional bonds. “Their companion animal is the one stable relationship in their life,” says Cuddy, emphasizing the critical role these pets play in the lives of their owners. The services provided by Street Dogs are not just about medical care but also about preserving these essential bonds.
The demand for such services is high, reflecting broader national statistics from The Humane Society, which indicate that millions of pets live in poverty without access to veterinary care. Street Dogs’ work addresses this gap, offering a lifeline to pet owners who must often choose between essential needs and their pets’ health.
Today’s clinic serves 14 dogs and Babygirl, underscoring the need for community support. “We’re in dire need of people who can help us transport animals,” says Jo Cooper, a Street Dogs volunteer and board member. The organization relies on volunteers for various roles, from logistical support to social media engagement.
As the clinic wraps up, Jacobson, equipped with Babygirl’s new harness and health records, returns to her room. The morning’s events, though stressful, end on a positive note with Babygirl enjoying a well-deserved treat. This small but significant episode highlights the indispensable work of Street Dogs in addressing a critical, unmet need within the community.
Through their dedicated efforts, volunteers like Cuddy and her team ensure that pets and their owners receive the care and support they need, reinforcing the profound impact of their mission.
