Senior Honors Project 20254

Family Animals: The Need for Native American Veterinarians in Tribal Communities

Carmella Juanita Chosa

Acoma and Jemez Pueblo

ier 2022mage located by Valentin Poposki, 24 October

“Pueblo of Acoma Flag.” Infobase, Facts On File. American Indian History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=18626&itemid=WE43&iid=202411. Accessed 19 Sept. 2024.

Chosa, Carmella, "Personal Photo", December, 5th, 2025.

Carmella Chosa.mp4

"ceremony of tears", Kettle Falls Washington, 1940.

Native Americans begin “Ceremony of Tears” for Kettle Falls on June 1. (n.d.). HistoryLink. https://www.historylink.org/File/7276

"Sharing One Skin" by Jeanette Armstrong

Identity is who we are as a person, everyone has their own Identity. In the article “Sharing One Skin”, by Jeanette Armstrong we learn that we can have multiple identities within ourselves. Armstrong talked about Okanagan people, their tradition and practices. The most key point in the article is that she discussed physical self, emotional self, thinking-intellectual self, and spiritual self. Armstrong begins talking about having a community and why it’s important, having traditions and cultural beliefs makes us who we are as Native Americans. Being Native American and having cultural diversity makes us unique as individuals. “All within family and community are affected by the action of any one individual, and so all must know this in their individual selves.”(465) Also reminds us that we shouldn’t forget where we came from, the land you live on and born from.

Armstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.

Old Willow Creek Indian School, a class pose for a picture, 1898.

Old Willow Creek Indian School, west of Browning. (n.d.). Montana History Portal. https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/14890

" And then I went to School" by Joe Suina

Suina, Joseph “And I went to school” memories of a pueblo childhood,”. New Mexico Journal of Reading, Winter 1985, Vol. V, No.2.

Schools back then were more impactful on youth than they are now, in the article “And then I went to School” we read about Joseph Suina and his experience at school. Suina was a boy from Cochiti Pueblo who lived with his grandmother in the 1950’s when the Pueblo had no electricity or running water. There weren't cars, only a few had one but for transportation there were horses and wagons. He and his grandmother lived in the Pueblo besides the plaza in a one bedroom house. He begins to talk about new outside things coming into the pueblo like comic books. He talks about the winter months as his favorite months, and he describes how safe he feels in his home. At the age of six he was sent to school, like the rest of Cochiti kids. He didn’t know english and only spoke Keres, if he spoke his language he was either spanked or punished. “My life was no longer just right for me. I was ashamed of being who I was, and I wanted to change right then and there.” Going to boarding school really affected the way he thought about his culture feeling like it was a burden.

Chosa, Carmella "Acoma Valley" November, 2, 2024

" How place names impact the way we see landscape" by B. Toastie

Memories and stories are connected to our land as described by, B. Toastie in the article, “ How place names impact the way we see landscape,”. Every landscape has a greater meaning than some land, trees, and grass. Were then introduced to “place identity” which means that the person identifies with the landscape on a deeper level. “ If you introduce yourself, approach it respectfully, it will help you. She honors the place where her grandma taught her that lesson.”(3) The article also talks about how colonizers took the Native names from landscapes and named them their own, which made Native Americans mad.

Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News: Know the West, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact- the-way-we-see-landscape.

Research Log #2 : History

A veterinarian performs a dental procedure on a small dog, October, 30, 2024

Bowen, J. M. (2024, October 30). Veterinary medicine | Definition, Training, History, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/veterinary-medicine

"Veterinary Science" published in Salem Press

The origin of Veterinary science is a medical science that deals with study, research, prevention and treatment. “Veterinary science is the medical science that deals with all aspects of healthcare provided to animals.” Veterinary scientists which include veterinarians who treat animal patients, research veterinary scientists who work in labs and academically and vet techs who assist. Veterinarians just don’t provide healthcare for dogs and cats but also livestock. The article talks about the requirements for choosing a career as a veterinarian, and exams you have to take. The need for veterinarians is critical, especially for livestock and farmers.

WEBB, S. J. P. D. Veterinary Science. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science, [s. l.], 2024. Disponível em: https://research-ebsco-com.sfis.idm.oclc.org/linkprocessor/plink?id=c169a08f-d3b2-3043-8b93-87fa8cabe142. Acesso em: 2 out. 2024.

Dr. Ethel Connelly’s family attended her CSU veterinary school graduation in 1989.

"Amazing Alumni: Dr. Ethel Connelly" by Claire Tucker

Being a Native American Veterinarian and getting to that goal wasn’t easy. Reading the article “ Dr Ethel Connelly” I learned about Dr. Ethel Connelly and her struggles at the school. Dr. Connelly is from the Black feet reservation, she has her own clinic Grass Winds Veterinary Clinic. She attended Colorado State University and studied Veterinary Medicine. “My advice to her and anyone looking to go to vet school is buckle down, trust yourself, and stick with it, the challenge is worth the stress.” It wasn’t easy for Dr. Connelly, we went through a lot studying but she got through it and became the first Native American Women to become a veterinarian.

Tucker, Claire. “Amazing Alumni: Dr. Ethel Connelly.” News from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 7 March 2018, https://cvmbs.source.colostate.edu/amazing-alumni-dr-ethel-connelly/. Accessed 3 October 2024.

Dr. Francisco helping a turtle, 2020

https://nativehealingllc.com/

"Tolani Francisco: The Animal Healer" by Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls

Journeys may be hard but the outcome and getting to the end of the journey is fulfilling Dr. Tolani Francisco’s journey to become the third Indigenous woman to become a veterinarian, even as a Pueblo woman. Tolani was inspired by her tribe and family to become a veterinarian; it wasn't easy as she faced some struggles along the way.

Tolani Francisco: The animal healer. Rebel Girls. (2023, October 31). https://www.rebelgirls.com/podcast/tolani-francisco-the-animal-healer

Research Log 3: Current State of the Issue

Wild, E. (2024, August 20). Dog Rescue to host its largest veterinary care clinic in Navajo nation. Yahoo News. https://www.yahoo.com/news/dog-rescue-host-largest-vetrinary-132803540.html?

"Dog Rescue to Host Its Largest Veterinary Care Clinic in Navajo Nation"

Stagner, T. D., & Stagner, T. D. (2024, August 10). Rez dogs are feeling the heat from climate change. Grist. https://grist.org/indigenous/rez-dogs-are-feeling-the-heat-from-climate-change/

"Rez dogs are feeling the heat from climate change"

Organization and Programs help rural communities and they need more support from tribal communities to help more rural communities. “Dogs Rescue to Host It’s Largest Veterinary Care Clinic in Navajo Nation” by Elyse Wild. The organization is called UnderDog rescue & rehab. The UnderDog serves the four corner tribes, Zuni, Navajo nation, and tribes in Colorado as well as Utah. “ It’s estimated that there are an estimated 250,00 to 500,00 dogs on the Navajo Nation” All these animals need immense veterinary care. The lack of access to Veterinary Care can hold a public health risk. In July the Navajo Nation reported that rabies cases increased. The UnderDog doesn’t just provide care but rehabilitates and adopts out 4,500. Last year the Underdog distributed 18,00 pounds of dog food to Navajo families. Underdog’s mission isn’t just providing Veterinary Care but also supporting Native American owners.

Wild, E. (2024, August 20). Dog Rescue to host its largest veterinary care clinic in Navajo nation. Native News Online. https://nativenewsonline.net/health/dog-rescue-to-host-its-largest-vetrinary-care-clininc-in-navajo-nation

Reservation dogs aren’t all scary but also create our village and memories. “ Rez Dogs” are feeling the heat from climate change” by Taylor Dawn Stagner talks about how climate change and wildfires will affect animals. San Carlos Apache Reservation had experienced a wildfire that affected 20 homes and 2000 acres. Dogs and cats were burnt and their paws were burnt. Their homes were either burnt or were abandoned by their family. Wildfires do not just come out of nowhere but climate change has factored into it. Climate change means hotter summers and colder winters. “ A lack of animal shelters and foster homes are driving higher euthanasia rates while intense heat put on dogs and cats without homes in serious danger”. Not just climate change has affected animals and Pet owners but also Covid-19. Even though it happened 5 years ago it still had an impact on Reservations and Tribal communities . Spay and neuter clinics were closed nationwide which caused a lot of over breeding.

Grist, T. D. S. (2024, August 21). Rez dogs are feeling the heat from climate change. Source New Mexico. https://sourcenm.com/2024/08/12/rez-dogs-are-feeling-the-heat-from-climate-change/

Research Log 4: Global Connections

Bosnia and Herzegovina travel guide. (n.d.). National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/bosnia-herzegovina

"Shortage of veterinarians in rural and remote areas: Summary report"

Voice, S. (2015, December 1). Sled dogs figure into Alaska history. Senior Voice. https://www.seniorvoicealaska.com/story/2015/12/01/columns/sled-dogs-figure-into-alaska-history/941.html

"Much of rural Alaska lacks regular veterinary care. AFN says its public health crisis"

Alliance, F. C. P. (n.d.). Four corners Pet Alliance. Four Corners Pet Alliance. https://fourcornerspetalliance.org/about-us-1

“Cultural awareness for Veterinary Clinicians”

The problems that we have in our tribal communities not only affect our communities but affect a lot other communities around the world. In the article “Shortage of Veterinarians in rural and remote areas” by The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe. Brought to light the shortage of Veterinarians on the continent of Europe and some of its countries. The statistics shown in the article around 78.5% of Europe is experiencing a shortage of Veterinary Care and the other 21.5% is not reported.”Lack of Veterinary professionals in rural and remote areas are diverse unfavorable working conditions (e.g. travelling long distances, climate conditions, log shifts etc.)” . There are many reasons for the lack of Veterinary Care; climate: a lot of Vets can’t reach certain places due to the geography. Poverty: Farmers are experiencing poverty and can’t afford to pay for a Veterinarian to check their animals. Europe is a diverse continent with different geography, flat land, bumpy, and mountainous terrain.

3 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The 2019 survey of the veterinary profession. A report for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (2019, p11) 24 British Cattle Veterinary Association (2019), Survey of the Profession

Not only tribes in New Mexico face the threat and problems of a “Rez Dog” other tribal communities face them as well. “Much of rural Alaska lacks regular veterinary care. AFN says it’s a public health crisis” written by Annie Berman. Takes place in a community called Nightmute, Alaska. Where Veterinary Care lacks causing members of the town and children being exposed to rabies. When the animals are exposed to rabies all their owners can do is put their animals down but not in a way they would want to, causing a lot of owners to have traumatic issues as well as Police Officers of the town. “ They’re intertwined: dogs love children, and children love dogs. And that’s one thing I commonly hear is, we want to keep our children safe and healthy. And healthy dogs lead to a healthy community.” Many villages in Alaska rely on non-profit programs that have volunteer Vet Technicians and Veterinarians come to the villages and see animals. The people in these villages take their animals early to get a spot in line and usually their lines are really long. The non-profit programs will come every once or twice a year. Overall learning about this community in Alaska opened my mind to ideas for suitable solutions that my tribe can do for the community.

Berman, A. (2022, November 28). Much of rural Alaska lacks regular veterinary care. AFN says it’s a public health crisis. Anchorage Daily News. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2022/11/27/much-of-rural-alaska-lacks-regular-veterinary-care-afn-says-its-a-public-health-crisis/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20lack%20of%20access%20to,Natives%20resolution%20adopted%20in%20October

Dogs have been a part of our traditions and culture. Dogs have guided us to safety and have protected us from anything bad. In the article “Cultural awareness for Veterinary Clinicians” by The University of Minnesota. Article discussed the cultural significance a dog had on tribal communities. A dog was seen as a helper, caretaker and a healer. Dogs were vital to our tribal communities before horses. “ Historians largely feel that once white settlers arrived with horses in the 1700’s, dogs lost their place in Indian society. Although they were seen as an invaluable relative.” Not only were dogs being pushed away in communities, pet owners in tribal communities also face poverty. Owners are caught between feeding their animals and feeding their families as well.

Research Guides: Cultural awareness for veterinary clinicians: Native Americans. (n.d.). https://libguides.umn.edu/c.php?g=1315645&p=9674535

Personal Connection:

Chosa, Carmella, "Acoma Pueblo Church", December, 24, 2024.

I have always been concerned about animals well being especially with my animals, but it’s so hard to find an affordable pet care. I have always wanted to become a veterinarian myself and building pet care clinics that are affordable for Native Americans Pet Owners. Over breeding is the number one factor that causes a lot of animals with no homes and to defend themselves. As Indigenous people we were the caretakers of the animals, we use animals in our clans, so it’s right to treat your animals right and get them taken care of.

Fall Action Plan 1:

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