Traveling in a medical van to sites throughout San Francisco, the dedicated SOS team of doctors, nurses, outreach workers, and volunteers creates “clinics without walls” at soup kitchens, on city streets, under freeway overpasses, and in parks. By going directly to homeless people - meeting them on their own turf - the SOS team builds relationships of trust, and breaks down the barriers that keep
homeless people from the care they need and deserve. SOS provides on-site preventive and urgent health care, connection to a medical home for long-term primary care, linkage to other resources (mental health, substance recovery, dental services, legal support, etc.), assistance with housing and benefits applications, distribution of health and hygiene supplies, and transportation assistance to over a thousand homeless San Franciscans every year. VET SOS services are provided by volunteer veterinarians and veterinary technicians through the use of a specially equipped mobile outreach van. VET SOS provides veterinary exams, basic veterinary procedures, vaccinations, referrals & transportation for free spay/neuter surgery, information about service animals in rental housing and responsible pet ownership, and health care information & referrals to their homeless humans. VET SOS uses a specially outfitted van to provide its outreach and veterinary services in selected areas of San Francisco that are inhabited by homeless individuals with companion animals.
