Kuujjuaq’s veterinary clinic is a community effort

Volunteers, interns and donations keep space thriving after a year in operation

Kuujjuaq’s veterinary clinic has an intern present two weeks every month, with the schedule for the interns filling up quickly each time. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)

By Cedric Gallant - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After opening just over a year ago with an office but no permanent veterinarian, Kuujjuaq’s veterinary clinic is finding its footing with a regular veterinarian presence, and housing.

“It is the first of its kind, so we had all the growing pain,” Liam Callaghan said.

Callaghan has been spearheading the project at Kuujjuaq’s Northern Village for more than a decade to provide consistent veterinary care in the community.

Liam Callaghan, who has been working to establish a veterinary clinic in Kuujjuaq for 12 years, finally sees the fruit of his efforts with infrastructure and regular veterinarian visits. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)

Two years ago, the permanent clinic was under construction and village councillors were actively looking for veterinarians.

The village partnered with the University of Montreal to regularly send veterinary students as interns for two weeks at a time, once a month. The initiative led to a decrease in vet prices and in the population of stray dogs in Kuujjuaq.

This project has been an example of the community coming together for a singular purpose, Callaghan said.

For instance, the building that now houses the veterinary interns and the clinic was created from donations from Nunavik Housing Bureau and Nunavik Building Inc.

The housing bureau provided a trailer, which became the clinic, and Nunavik Building Inc. pitched in with a unit to become the staff housing. Local contractors donated their own time and materials to attach the two buildings together.

Funding for the clinic also comes from all kinds of sources.

“Every organization built this place,” said Callaghan.

Laetitia Deroeux was completing her two-week internship in November at Kuujjuaq’s veterinary clinic, often having a fully booked schedule. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)

“There is no template for a place like this in the North, no examples to follow. Sometimes I am walking in circles, but as long as I am moving it is something.”

As well, many people have volunteered to work at the clinic when there are no veterinarians in town.

Laetitia Deroeux was the veterinary intern visiting Kuujjuaq in November. She said most of the time, interns are alone during their two-week trips except when there are surgeries. In those cases, there are two interns present.

Deroeux said working in Kuujjuaq is a chance to gain valuable experience as a veterinarian.

“We have a tendency to lose our independence,” she said in a French interview at the clinic.

“When we are here, in terms of learning, it is a great opportunity.”

The reception she gets for her work has also contributed to her positive experience.

“[People] are happy to have someone there to take care of their animals,” she said.

Callaghan is waiting to see how budgets align next year. The original project for him was to have vet services offered across Nunavik by having an intern permanently reside in Kuujjuaq, and another on rotation from one community to another.

 

The modest office space for the clinic is an upgrade from Liam Callaghan’s closet, which was once the host for veterinary services in Kuujjuaq. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)

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