Charities We Support
Be a Force for Good
Working as a house call veterinarian provides ample opportunity to touch the lives of many people and pets, and our goal is always to do so with compassion and tenderness. We also endeavor to reach outwards in other walks of life outside our immediate circle friends and family. Helping others is addictive; it enriches not only the lives of the people we assist, but our own lives as well. Unfortunately, while there are hundreds of worthwhile charities, time and money can suffice only to support a few; since we are lucky enough to work with animals on a daily basis, we have chosen to focus on our other passion for our charity work: working with children.
Save Their Smiles
While working as a veterinarian in Nicaragua, Dr. Ekström found herself in the curious position of realizing that the veterinary work she was doing there was just a drop in the ocean, and would never actually make a very big difference in the lives of the people there. The Miskito Indians live in the Northeast corner of Nicaragua. This is one of the poorest areas in Nicaragua, which is one of the poorest countries in Central America. People here have very little education, little medical care, and no dental care. The people here subsist mostly through agriculture and a bartering system. There is no running water and no electricity, and very little opportunity to earn money.
For this reason, and because dental care has never been taught, most people do not own toothbrushes or care for their teeth in any way. Dental decay is rampant, and causes immense pain and suffering. This is an easy problem to fix. People need toothbrushes, knowledge, and regular fluoride application.
Please see our video at:
http://animoto.com/play/Bj5Or23ATsxJl8zhdRokjA
Better yet, donate money or supplies at www.SaveTheirSmiles.org and make a difference in the world!
Thank you!
One of my patients
Save their Smiles
Healing the Children chapters organize medical trips and travel to host countries to treat children and young adults free of charge. Volunteer medical and surgical health professionals travel at their own expense. They treat patients and share their expertise with host country health professionals during procedures. Children that cannot be treated safely in their country of origin may be brought back to the United States to receive more advanced treatment here free of charge. Dr. Ekstrom has helped out by providing general assistance to surgical teams, with translation, and as a extra set of hands to hug kids post-op. Please visit www.htcorwwa.org
Treating teeth with fluoride in Guatemala
Safe Passage is a United States based organization that helps over 600 children in Guatemala City attend school to help break the cycle of poverty in this incredibly impoverished area of the world. You can contribute by sponsoring a child for only a dollar a day, which pays for all school fees, as well as food for the child and their family, or better yet, travel down with Dr. Ekstrom and help out with any expertise you may have to share. All skills are appreciated! Visit www.safepassage.org for more information.
Teaching
Become a Foster Parent - Fostering is a wonderful way to help children in the context of your own family life; it has been a great way for our kids to become actively involved in the process of giving. If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a foster parent, feel free to contact Dr. Ekstrom at drhanna@yourathomevet.com
Happy kids
The Doney Clinic provides veterinary care for pets owned by low-income and homeless residents of Seattle. At Home Vet donates both medicine and, on occasion, time to this clinic that is staffed entirely by volunteers. If you know of someone who needs assistance, the clinic operates out of the Union Gospel Men's Shelter the second and fourth Saturday of every month from 3-5 pm.