Jefferson Award: Ilana Strubel, vet for pets of homeless

 Bay Area Jefferson Award winner: Ilana Strubel, founder of VET SOS, a nonprofit veterinary service for San Francisco's homeless pet owners.

How she started: In 2000, Strubel was asked by a former homeless client she had met while working as a vet for the San Francisco SPCA if she would consider helping homeless people who were unable or unwilling to provide health care for their pets. "Most of the animals I had seen at the SPCA were emergency cases," says Strubel. "The idea of doing outreach and preventative medicine to help cut back on those kinds of cases was exciting to me." Strubel launched the mobile service in June 2001, with volunteers and supplies from the San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association and a van from the nonprofit Street Outreach Services. Her group tended to 14 animals on its first trip. "It was humbling -- seeing a homeless vehicle encampment and realizing that even getting water for their pets is a challenge," Strubel says.

And now: The VET SOS van hits the streets the second Friday of every month. Staffed by a vet, a vet tech and two outreach workers, the team tends to an average of 30 animals per outing. They provide medication, pet food, flea collars and leashes, as well as referrals and transportation to area animal clinics that have agreed to provide care to Vet-SOS clients. The van is stocked with donated supplies, and the majority of the organization's operational expenses are paid by the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium. Once word gets out that the "pet van" is nearby, Strubel says, "People who wouldn't come out for help for themselves will come out for their pets." VET SOS also sets up shop at the city's six annual Project Homeless Connect events. Strubel's organization has cared for more than 500 animals since its launch.

Her inspiration: Strubel says that by helping animals, she is also helping their human caretakers. "I have seen people who have lost their vehicle, lost every possession they had, but they will fight tooth and nail to keep their animals," she says. "I see it as my responsibility, because trying to take better care of their pets is often their biggest incentive to get off the streets."

Her vitals: Strubel, 37, lives in Bernal Heights with her partner of five years, Michelle McAnanama, four dogs and two cats. She received her degree in veterinary medicine in 1995 from the University of Illinois. In addition to Vet SOS, she runs a private practice in Pacifica.

Who has made the most impact on her: Strubel says Pali Boucher, the woman who initially approached her about starting the mobile clinic, opened her eyes to what needed to be done. In the beginning, Boucher, who had once been homeless for 20 years, helped build trust between the volunteers and the homeless pet owners she knew around San Francisco. "Her dog, Leadbelly, was her best friend and loyal companion," says Strubel. "She saw how hard it was on her dog, and it actually motivated her to get into housing."

In her own words: "As a vet, I understand the human-animal bond. These animals are emotional support and a catalyst for human interaction, especially for those who might avoid interacting with anyone. With all the drugs, violence and stress of being homeless, we've seen that people living on the streets with pet companions fare better. With the social isolation of homeless, pets provide nonjudgmental companionship, a steady source of unconditional love. I don't feel that they deserve the love of their animal companion any less because they don't have a roof over their head. For people on the street, they aren't just pets -- they really are their companions."

What others say about her: "Ilana and the people she works with have been a godsend for me," said Elizabeth Drury, who has been homeless for four years and has three dogs -- Hero, Fudge and Kissy. "They have made it possible for me to keep a remnant of the dignity of my former life, given me the privilege of keeping my dogs and keeping them healthy. When you are homeless, a lot falls by the wayside, and the respect and equality of peers disappears. But (Strubel and her coworkers) treat everyone fairly and openly and have big hearts. They've given a lot of people who teeter on the edge of sanity a stepping stone to build their lives again. If it wasn't for them, there would be very little hope in this community. They nurture hope by helping our animals."To find out more: Call (415) 355-2248 or visit www.vetsos.org or www.sfccc.org

About the author:

Dr. Ilana Strubel works in private practice with Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital.

Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate, Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in Pacifica, California.

 Suzanne Pullen, SF Chronicle Staff Writer

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