Every single day, countless people work hard to make the world a better place. Dr. Kwane Stewart is one of them and, although he isn’t one for attention being drawn to himself, he is officially the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year. In 2011, Kwane never could have imagined earning this award, especially for his veterinarian work. At that time, he was on the verge of leaving the profession.
Like so many others, Kwane first joined the profession because he wanted to save the lives of animals. But there was a recession, and the shelter he worked at had him euthanizing more and more helpless creatures. This isn’t what he wanted.
Then, a chance encounter with an unhoused man and his dog outside of a 7-11 changed everything. After helping the man’s dog, Kwane got the man a sandwich. Without hesitating, he gave half of the sandwich to his dog.
“That was the moment I said to myself, ‘I’m going to do more of this. I’m going to get back to saving animals on my terms. And I’m going to do it for passion, not for pay,'” Kwane said.
From this encounter, Project Street Vet was born. Kwane set up small drop-in clinics, providing medical care to pets whose owners couldn’t afford other help. He also searched for unhoused folks who had pets in need.
Kwane Stewart Becomes the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year
“They’re with each other 24/7 hours a day,” Kwane said of unhoused folks and their pets. “Their bond and relationship is on a different level. Because they’re not in a traditional home, it doesn’t necessarily make them less of a pet parent. A pet doesn’t care about nice furniture and a big home, they want to spend it with you.”
Ever since, Project Street Vet has only continued to grow. And thanks to the $100,000 they’ve been granted from Kwane becoming the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year, it seems they won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
“An act of kindness can change someone’s day,” Kwane said in his acceptance speech. “An act or gesture of kindness can change somebody’s life.”
Watch the video below to learn more about Kwane Stewart, the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year.
@brutamerica CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year is Dr. Kwane Stewart, a veterinarian whose nonprofit, Project Street Vet, provides pets and pet parents experiencing homelessness with vet care. #fyp ♬ original sound – Brut.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.
