A volunteer at the pet clinic for homeless animals treats holds a dog waiting to be seen. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

Veterinarians treat homeless pets at a free clinic Sunday, July 30, in Anaheim. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

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Dr. Mark Malo poses with four student volunteers during the free homeless pet clinic in Anaheim, Sunday, July 30. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

A mobile van from the Healthcare Emergency Animal Rescue Team hosts an free pet clinic at the Santa Ana River Trail for the homeless community. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

A woman waits at the free pet clinic Sunday, July 30, at the Santa Ana River Trail. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)



Tara McKellar, 35, sits with Freja waiting for her medical appointment. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

A pit bullnamed Rukus waits for his vaccinations Sunday, July 30, at the Santa Ana River Trail. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

Angel Nole, 32, sits with Bandit, a dalamtian pit bull-mix and (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

Mitzy Granados, 30, kisses her dog, Rukus, before he sees a veterinarian for shots. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

TJ and Chance Ivey, sit with Daisy before her vet examination. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)



A woman cradles a pet during the homeless vet clinic at the Santa Ana River Trail. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

A woman checks on dogs ready to be seen at the the free pet clinic. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

Anthony Damian, 42, sits with Star Isabella. He is thankful for the medical help. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

Michael Diehl, 46, a former commercial diver, helps hold his dog Osirius while Dr. Todd Kopit, of the Healthcare Emergency Rescue Team mobile clinic, gives him a shot. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

Angel Nole, 32, sits with 6-week-old puppy Robin. He calls the free veterinary services. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)



Michael Diehl, 46, a former commercial diver, waits with his dog Osiris for an appointment with a veterinarian. (Photo by Erika Ritchie, Staff)

ANAHEIM Michael Diehl has had Osiris since the pit bull was just a pup.

Diehl, 46, suffers from sudden seizures and Osiris helps keep him safe, alerting him before they happen, he said.

“He means everything to me,” he said. “He protects me from everything.”

Now 14 years old, Osiris needs more veterinary care. But the bills aren’t something that Diehl, a former commercial diver, can afford.

As one of hundreds living on the riverbed of the Santa Ana River Trail, Diehl was among 60 people and their pets who took advantage of free veterinary services offered on Sunday, July 30.

The services were offered by two groups, the Healthcare Emergency Animal Rescue Team out of Yorba Linda run by veterinarians Debra and Dr. Todd Kopit, and Dr. Mark Malo, vice president of the Animal Health Foundation, a nonprofit that is a charitable wing of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.

The veterinarians did wellness checks, vaccinations, de-worming and parasite treatment.

“We launched this program because we know there are many services for homeless people but not for their pets, ” said Malo, who also works at the Garden Grove Dog and Cat Hospital. “These people are dedicated to their animals. They would go without their own meals to feed them.”

Angel Nole, 32, brought his dog Bandit, a Dalmatian pit bull-mix, for shots and flea control. He also brought Robin, a six-week-old pup for his first puppy shots.

“It helps out a lot,” said Nole said, adding that he can’t afford any veterinary care.

TJ and Chance Ivey were thankful for the opportunity to get their pit bull-Labrador-mix Daisy checked out.

Daisy has helped make life bearable for the couple, they said.

“She brightens everybody’s day,” TJ Ivey said. “If they’re disgusted with life, she walks up to them and it’s a blessing.”