SPEAKERS AND SESSIONS
Unity in Action: How We Harness Our Passion For the Betterment of Pets and People
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
This keynote transcends personal achievement; it’s an exploration of the collective potential for positive change when individuals channel their skills, pursue their passions, and actively contribute to the well-being of humanity through our love of pets.
Many members of veterinary teams are driven at a young age by an intense passion to help those who can’t help themselves—to show compassion, empathy, and love for the animals of the world that provide so much for us. Dr. Kwane Stewart believes this quality is what sets the veterinary field apart from other professions. For those of us in the broader animal health community, we may have witnessed this unique expression of care through our own work, experienced some measure of that innate capacity connecting with clients, or by supporting animal charities, volunteering, or helping to enable access to care.
In his inspirational keynote, Dr. Kwane will recount his journey from private practice veterinarian to contemplating leaving shelter medicine behind, to walking the streets solo, helping the pets of the unhoused. He’ll share moving stories and experiences that reflect the childlike care and passion he has come to believe resides in us all and drives the work that we do to support animal health care. This is an exploration of the collective potential for positive change when individuals channel their skills, pursue their passions, and actively contribute to the well-being of humanity. Dr. Kwane is here to remind us why we are all here.
Dr. Kwane Stewart is the 2023 recipient of CNN’s “Hero of the Year’, and author of the bestselling novel What It takes to save a life. His unforgettable, powerful, and stunningly-told memoir tells the story of ‘Project Street Vet’ and how, as a struggling veterinarian, Kwane was called to save animals and humans on the streets of California where he also discovered what bonds all living creatures.
We’ll have some books on hand for purchase, and Dr. Kwane is happy to sign them for you!
Presenter
Dr. Kwane Stewart
Veterinarian
Chief Veterinary Officer – Kismet
Chief Medical Officer – Holistapet
A graduate from the renowned Colorado State University Veterinary program, Dr. Kwane has been a California practicing vet for over 26 years. He has worked in nearly every part of the profession – honing his clinical and business expertise. Dr. Kwane also serves as a Vet Advisory Board Member with Fetch Pet Insurance.
His professional journey started in 1997 as an associate and emergency clinician in San Diego. From there he climbed the ranks quickly, becoming the Chief Medical Officer of VETCO Hospitals, Inc. in 2003. Later he would take the reins of a struggling municipal shelter as County Veterinarian and reverse one of the worst euthanasia rates in the country during his five-year tenure. In 2013, he became Chief Veterinary Officer of American Humane, and Director of their legacy program, No Animals Were Harmed®, protecting over 100,000 animals every year around the globe on film and TV sets. Now he serves as Netflix’s Chief Veterinary Consultant in charge of animal oversight behind the scenes.
Dr. Kwane has been sought for his expertise by many media outlets and major companies – including Disney, United Airlines and Sea World – for guidance to improve their animal care standards. He has been featured on the TODAY Show, MSNBC, FOX, CNN, Dr. Oz, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and others. He is known for his outspoken, compassionate, charismatic and genuine nature.
Today, his career has evolved into another new journey: His true calling – helping pets and people in need.
“The Street Vet”
Many years ago, during a five-year tenure as a Shelter Veterinarian in a struggling, depressed area of California, Dr. Kwane began to form a true appreciation for those that struggle to afford health care for their pets.
One day, on a whim, he headed downtown with some medical supplies. He set up a table near a homeless food bank and invited anyone with a pet to be examined and treated at no charge. It was the most rewarding day of his career. Afterwards, he made more consistent efforts to find the unhoused, wherever they were, and give free medical aid to their pets.
Now, years later, his story is chronicled on a docuseries, called “The Street Vet”. It follows him as he travels the streets of California helping pets, and people alike, while retrieving some of the most remarkable and inspiring stories of sacrifice and hope. With that came the founding of Project Street Vet, a 501(c)3. As Founder and President, Stewart’s nonprofit provides free veterinary care, treatment, and support to the pets of individuals experiencing homelessness and/or financial hardship and is expanding across the country.