What is NAVS?
Native American Veterinary Services (NAVS) is a division of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Foundation. Through the efforts of volunteer veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other assistants, NAVS provides free veterinary care for Native Americans living on reservations throughout the United States. Started in 2001 by Dr. Ted Robinson, NAVS has grown from a few volunteers visiting one reservation into dozens of dedicated veterinary health professionals who travel to numerous reservations. Annually, there are two trips, one in the spring and one in the fall. Participants may spend 1-2 weeks at the reservations depending on their individual time allowance and NAVS’ needs. Without NAVS, the Native Americans living on these reservations would have little or no access to veterinary care. Since the program began, the veterinary care provided to both the domestic and farm animals has increased the health of both the animal and human population. Providing better heath care to farm animals has resulted in healthier and more robust animals. This has increased the standard of living of the native population because they obtain higher prices for their livestock when they go to market. In addition, controlling the feral dog population through spay/neuter clinics has dramatically decreased the incidence of dog attacks on both farm animals and people, especially children. NAVS also educates the native population on the proper care of their animals, and they present programs at many schools on the reservations in hopes that it will foster an interest in veterinary medicine. During visits, temporary clinics are established to vaccinate, perform health checks and to spay and neuter dogs and cats. Mobile clinics visit farms and ranches where thousands of farm animals (horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and goats) are provided health and pregnancy checks, vaccinations, and are treated for both internal and external parasites. Gelding of horses also occurs during these farm visits. It is the mission of NAVS to make each reservation serviced become self-sufficient. The ultimate goal of NAVS is to establish a permanent veterinary facility staffed by Native Americans.