Beyond the Flames
The Southern California veterinary community has united to care for animals and each other amid and following the winter wildfires.
When the fires came, they came fast. Driven by dry winds and scorching heat, flames roared across the hillsides of Southern California this past January. The skies over the Palisades and Altadena turned a thick, dire orange, and sirens wailed as evacuation orders were issued. Amidst the chaos, the veterinary community found itself at the epicenter – not just as victims, but as caretakers, organizers, and lifelines for frightened pet owners and their animals.
In the days that followed, the stories trickled in of clinics that had to shut down temporarily, homes lost, and staff members displaced. One particularly harrowing account came from the Pasternak family, owners of Pasternak Veterinary Center. Their home burned to the ground, and for nearly two weeks, the family lived in their veterinary practice. Dr. Henry Pasternak continued to see patients, working tirelessly as his family slept in the office, surviving on donated meals and bottled water.
“They closed early one Saturday to go buy clothes,” said Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, Executive Director, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association. “That’s how bare they were. But the only thing they had any control over was to continue helping, to continue taking care of their clients and being part of their community. One would think they’d be worried about themselves and trying to find solutions for themselves, but they decided to work on that later.”
This resilience was echoed throughout the veterinary network. Many clinics were inundated with patients – not just regular clientele, but also displaced animals in need of care, emergency boarding, or simply a safe space to rest. Clinics that had escaped the flames absorbed the overflow from those that hadn’t. Despite their own uncertainty, veterinarians and their staff chose to serve, often putting their own needs on hold.
The SCVMA played a critical, if largely unseen, role in the aftermath. Though they didn’t deploy rescue teams themselves, they became the communication hub – disseminating information, coordinating resources, and liaising with emergency animal response units. They worked closely with the California Veterinary Emergency Team out of UC Davis, LA Animal Care and Control, and other agencies. They even compiled a register of large animal veterinarians – those who worked with horses, goats, and livestock – ready to assist if called.
At the same time, the national veterinary community rallied. Dr. Hawkins was attending a conference in Chicago when the fires broke out. Fellow attendees came to her to ask how they could help: “What can we do? Where can we send supplies? Who needs help?” Despite being physically far from the flames, veterinarians across the country felt the urgency of the moment. It was a reminder that, though the profession can sometimes feel solitary, in moments of crisis, it becomes a tight-knit brotherhood and sisterhood of compassion.
Long-term recovery remains uncertain. Some clinics have reopened, patched together with insurance and community support. Others are still navigating claims, finding temporary shelter, or simply trying to breathe after weeks of relentless pressure. “We’re figuring it out,” Mrs. Pasternak told Dr. Hawkins, in what has become a common refrain.
“It’s not going to be a short process and that’s what I tried to remind our members who all wanted to help,” Dr. Hawkins said. “There will be an immediate response, but the recovery is going to be extensive. They’re still going to need help.”
Assistance available
The SCVMA has expanded its foundation, once focused solely on education, to provide disaster relief. Grants are available to reimburse individuals for out-of-pocket costs – emergency boarding, medical supplies, or temporary housing. Others are open to those who continued working throughout the crisis. For more information, visit scvma.org.
Photo credit:
istockphoto.com/FrozenShutter
