Outreach in Action: ARC Joined ISU Team for a Crow Creek Service Project

Darci & Abby providing vaccines and a little grooming for an elder’s dog in the Fort Thompson Firehouse.

A foundational part of the Animal Resource Center’s (ARC) mission is a deep and ongoing commitment to outreach—meeting communities where they are and helping ensure that pets, and the people who care for them, have access to essential veterinary services.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to volunteer with an Iowa State University (ISU) Veterinary School team for a Crow Creek Service Project alongside Abby, Dr. Keleher, and her husband, Cassidy. Our small ARC team traveled 2 1/2 hours west to join a dedicated group of ISU faculty, alumni, veterinary students, and other volunteers to provide critical veterinary services on the Crow Creek Reservation.

For me, this project holds particular significance. I first volunteered when the program began more than 16 years ago. Today, the annual trip remains a powerful example of what sustained, relationship-based outreach can accomplish over time. Under the leadership of Dr. Joan Howard, the program continues to evolve while honoring its roots. During our visit, Crow Creek Tribal Chairman Peter Lengkeek shared insights into the community’s history, culture, and the challenges his tribe continues to face—providing meaningful context for the work being done.

Access to veterinary care is one of those ongoing challenges. In many rural and underserved communities, barriers such as cost, distance, and limited resources can make routine veterinary care difficult to obtain. Programs like this service project help bridge that gap. Over the course of the weekend, more than 550 animals received care, including spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, wellness exams, and preventive treatments—services that might otherwise be out of reach.

While the need is still great, I can see that these annual ISU clinics are making an impact. When the project first began, heartworm, mange, and severe tick infestations were common. Today, those once-common conditions have markedly declined—clear evidence of how sustained care, education, and prevention can transform the community health of pets over time.

This work extends far beyond clinical services. For many families on the Crow Creek Reservation, the annual ISU visit is something they anticipate and value. It creates an opportunity to connect with veterinary professionals, ask questions, and make informed decisions about their pets’ health. It also provides veterinary students with a unique learning experience—not only in clinical practice, but in cultural awareness, community engagement, and service.

The clinics operate in dynamic, highly collaborative environments. Small animal services are delivered at the local firehouse, where teams work efficiently to meet a high level of demand. Others spent much of their time with the equine team at the rodeo grounds, partnering with veterinarians and students to provide preventive care and support for both working and companion horses.

This is what outreach looks like in action: collaboration grounded in humility, guided by respect, and driven by a shared commitment to keeping pets healthy and with the families who love them.

The ARC team was proud to be part of this important work on the Crow Creek reservation. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with ISU. Their commitment has sustained this effort for more than a decade. They are not only providing care to animals—they are strengthening communities, expanding access, and creating lasting, meaningful relationships. Our team looks forward to participating again next year.