July 31, 2018
College of Veterinary Medicine to join Everybody Counts — Manhattan
The College of Veterinary Medicine will be participating Aug. 4 in a community outreach event called Everybody Counts. This event occurs yearly in Manhattan at the Douglass Community Center in the 900 block of Yuma Street.
Everybody Counts is a grassroots effort to better coordinate social services and provide information about those services, and it is designed to assist community members who are in need. The event provides free health care services, including sports physical exams for school kids, dental exams and hearing exams, as well as a free brunch, food distributions from Harvesters and the Flint Hills Breadbasket, and clothing for those in need.
"We are excited to be joining Everybody Counts this year to provide basic preventative veterinary services and making it a One Health community event, serving the people and pets of Riley County," said Kate KuKanich, associate professor in small animal medicine. "It is a privilege to work with county agencies to identify and support residents who would otherwise not have access to veterinary services."
The College of Veterinary Medicine team plans to perform physical examinations, vaccines and preventative care as indicated. Products have been donated by pharmaceutical and nutrition/pet food corporations.
"We hope by joining this event we will also help foster mental and physical well-being through ownership of healthy pets and minimize transfer of zoonotic disease in our community," said Bonnie Rush, interim dean of the veterinary college.
The veterinary team will consist of several clinicians and faculty members, technicians and veterinary students who are volunteering at the event.