The clinic will provide essential services for pets, enabling critical steps in disease prevention and supporting healthier animals in the region.
NAOTKAMEGWANNING FIRST NATION — Roughly 100 pets are expected to receive care from veterinarians and veterinary technicians at a first-of-a-kind animal wellness clinic in the region on Saturday.
Indigenous communities, led by Naotkamegwanning First Nation, Animakee Wa Zhing and Northwest Angle #33, on the eastern shores of Lake of the Woods, have partnered with the Leo Project to host the free clinic.
It will be first-come, first-served and open to members of the three communities, according to a media release issued on Thursday.
“To the veterinarians, technicians, volunteers and support staff — thank you for your professionalism, compassion and dedication. You are making a difference every single day and this clinic is a shining example of that,” Gary Tom, Naotkamegwanning First Nation’s Chief, was quoted as saying.
“The services provided by the Leo Project are vital for improving animal health and supporting a safer, healthier community overall.”
The clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Baibombeh School Gym in Naotkamegwanning First Nation, providing essential services including pet grooming, vaccinations, microchip implanting to identify pets and pet health checks.
Critical steps in preventing disease and supporting healthier animals, according to the release.
The planning and hosting of the clinic is also rooted in community development and an interest in supporting the mental health and well-being of community members living in rural and remote Northwestern Ontario, added the release.
While an estimated 60 per cent of individuals and families in Canada have at least one animal companion, a significant percentage of these pet owners experience barriers to accessing healthcare for their animals, according to a research article published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in May 2025.
“This issue affects pet parents across Ontario — but becomes even more challenging for Indigenous people in regions where health, nutrition and other services are difficult to access,” Celine Ward, a veterinarian and founder of the Leo Project, was quoted as saying.
“The Leo Project is proud to partner and collaborate with local leaders in Indigenous communities to co-create new models of vet care that meet cultural, regional and financial needs.”
The clinic will shape how local animal wellness is viewed, continued the release, as the partnership shares stories, voices needs and drives decisions going forward.
“This clinic is not just about delivering care. It is about connection. By working together, we can build lasting, community-led solutions for animal wellness,” Mary Anne Mooring, another stakeholder in the clinic, was quoted as saying.
“The goal is not just to deliver care, but also to help build relationships, deepen trust and support long-term well-being for both animals and the people who love them.”
More information about the Leo Project is available online.
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