What is NAVS?

NAVS (Native American Veterinary Services) is a sub-division of the non-profit Pennsylvania Veterinary Foundation.

Through the efforts of the 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. Theodore Robinson, NAVS has grown from a few volunteers who visited one reservation for a couple of days into group of dozens of dedicated veterinary health professionals who travel to numerous reservations twice yearly for a period of weeks.

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 have increased the health of both the animal and human population.

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.

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 when they obtain higher prices for their livestock when they go to market.

In addition, NAVS educates the native population on the proper care of their animals. They also present programs at many schools on the reservations in hopes that it will foster an interest in veterinary education.

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.

Services provided by NAVS

Temporary clinics are established to vaccinate, perform health checks and to spay and neuter dogs and cats.

Mobile clinics visit farms and ranches where 1000’s of farm animals (horses, cows, sheep, pigs and goats) have health and pregnancy checks, are vaccinated and are treated for both internal and external parasites. Gelding of horses also occurs during these farm visits.

NAVS Participants

During each NAVS trip, participants are able to interact with the Native Americans. Thus gaining and engendering a better understanding of the history, customs, ceremonies and spirituality of these “The First Americans”.  Every trip has been a life changing experience for each participant.