Compassion in Action at the Covelo Clinic
In late March, volunteers from the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine traveled to Covelo, California for another weekend of compassionate, community-centered veterinary care through the Covelo Clinic. Entirely volunteer-run, the clinic brings together veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians/assistants, undergraduate students, and local community members to improve access to vital veterinary care in this underserved rural community.
In partnership with Better Options for Neglected Strays (BONEs) Pet Rescue, the clinic provides wellness exams, vaccinations, preventative medications, spay and neuter surgeries, and owner education for hundreds of dogs and cats over the course of two days. For UC Davis veterinary students, the experience is also a powerful hands-on learning opportunity focused on accessible veterinary care and community service.
This year’s clinic also marked the return of large animal care after a long hiatus, thanks to support from the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET). Volunteers from CVET provided veterinary medical support for horses and goats in the community, including dental procedures for multiple horses. Veterinary students also had the opportunity to assist with examinations and care for several goats, including an especially memorable group of adorable baby goats that quickly became favorites among the volunteers.
“Accessible veterinary care is about meeting communities where they are and finding ways to support both animals and the people who love them,” said Dr. Emily McCobb, PetSmart Charities Endowed Chair of Accessible Veterinary Care at UC Davis. “The Covelo Clinic is an incredible example of what can happen when volunteers come together with compassion and a shared commitment to care.”
One patient from the March clinic especially stood out: a dog named Nala.
Just days before the clinic, Nala had been accidentally hit by a car, suffering multiple injuries to her hip and leg. Her family spent five days trying to find help, facing the reality that the nearest emergency veterinary hospital was nearly three hours away. When they learned the Covelo Clinic would be in town, they brought her in immediately.
At the pop-up clinic, volunteers stabilized Nala and helped make her more comfortable before arranging her transfer to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. There, she received free treatment through the hospital’s Fracture Program for Rescue Animals, another one of the school’s Accessible Veterinary Care programs. Nala eventually underwent surgery to repair her hip and leg, and is now recovering in foster care.
While she still has a long road ahead filled with weekly bandage changes, crate rest, and follow-up appointments, her foster mom says her personality is already shining through. Nala is now “Ambra” and is available for adoption through ShepHeroes German Shepherd Rescue.
The Covelo Clinic is also a meaningful example of One Health in action. Caring for animals is inseparable from caring for people and strengthening the wellbeing of entire communities. Even routine veterinary services like vaccinations, parasite prevention, and spay/neuter care can have direct impacts beyond the animal by helping reduce disease risks in the home, supporting safer human-animal interactions, and easing financial strain on families who may otherwise face difficult decisions about care.
By improving access to veterinary care for both small and large animals, the Covelo Clinic strengthens the health and resilience of the broader community while giving veterinary students firsthand experience addressing access to veterinary care through a One Health lens. The Covelo Clinic continues to serve as both a critical veterinary resource for the community and a meaningful educational experience for future veterinarians dedicated to making care more accessible for all.
