Before his appointment, Cesar was outside of Henrietta Johnson Medical Center flirting with the doctors in the parking lot.

How strong and handsome, the doctors said. Cesar responded with kisses on their cheeks.

"Cesar, sit man. Sit," said William Woods as his pit bull kissed yet another veterinarian.

Cesar, who was a very good boy during his examination, was one of at least 50 dogs and cats who received free checkups, vaccinations and medicine at Henrietta Johnson on Saturday.

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The federally qualified health center, located in one of the poorest areas in Wilmington, started a new program in October that's aimed to care for residents' beloved pets, and maybe sneak in in a little health care advice and screening for their owners.

The medical center's staff believes this new monthly clinic will ease the financial burden of veterinary care for many and hopes it will incentivize people to take care of their own health as well.

Williams suffered an accident about a year-and-a-half ago, and he now needs a wheelchair and relies on Social Security checks. Cesar, a gift from a friend, has helped him with his depression.

"He's been everything to me," Woods said.

In the time he's owned him, Woods hasn't taken Cesar to the vet to get vaccinated or receive any preventative medicine. Besides the expense, there isn't a local animal hospital near the Wilmington neighborhood for him to go to — until now.

On the first Saturday of every month, the Southbridge location is taken over by local veterinarians and University of Delaware and University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine students.

It becomes a pop-up clinic for the morning, in which pets and their owners enter in the back of the health center to be treated. The Delaware Humane Association provides the medicine and medical equipment as well as helps recruit volunteers.

While the owners wait, the vets will mention to the owners how they can receive their annual flu shot, get their blood pressure checked or sign up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program just down the hall.

The connections seem to be working.

Breiona Miller was there with her pug-beagle mix, Bear, and plans to return every month. She wants to make sure Bear's ears remain infection-free and he doesn't have any fleas. When his exam was over and she restocked on medicine for him, Miller headed to get her flu shot.

"We're all getting vaccines today," she laughed.

The inspiration for the idea comes from Knights Landing One Health Center, a clinic in California that primarily serves rural, mostly Mexican farm-working families. It provides human and animal health services with the idea it will improve the overall health of the community, said Ephraim Kaba, CEO of Henrietta Johnson.

Kaba, a dog lover, said he wants Henrietta Johnson to be a place that doesn't turn anyone away, no matter their income level or medical issues. This now includes dogs and cats, he said.

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Dr. Kristin Jankowski, one of the head veterinarians for the clinic, said Southbridge is a "total desert" when it comes to animal care. This opportunity allows pets to get a "nose to tail" exam and receive free vaccines and medicine that help prevent any animal-to-human virus transmissions, she said.

The medical students run most of the exams and the vets are there to supervise and advise the owners on future treatments, said Jankowski, who is a vet at Wilmington Animal Hospital. For many of the students, this is the first time they are interacting with both animals and their owners.

And so far, most of the vets have seen conditions that they can immediately care for, such as skin diseases and fleas. Jankowski also makes sure the medical students mention during every exam the services the owners can receive at the medical center.

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"We're on their turf," she said. "We're here to help in any way."

Southbridge resident Deloras Alexander, who has a "bad habit of loving dogs," said it's common for people in the neighborhood to take in stray animals. She found her dog Panda, who then was extremely underweight and had cuts on her ears, just around the corner from her house.

But like Alexander, many of the residents who stopped by the clinic said they often have to choose between care for themselves or their pets.

"We just can't afford it," Alexander said. "We love them but can't afford it. It can put us a month behind because it's so expensive."

Grey kitten Tink, who was also getting vaccinated, squealed and her owner Stephanie Malandruccolo stroked her chin and made soothing noises. This is the Wilmington resident's second time coming to the clinic, which she said has been a "major plus for Southbridge" and its morale.

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Minutes later, the doctor told her Tink tested positive for feline leukemia. The cat has a life expectancy of about a year.

After the consultation, Malandruccolo carefully placed Tink into a red carrier and put its strap on her shoulder.

She told the doctors she'd be right back. Her five other cats needed exams, too.

To make an appointment for December's clinic or for more information, call (302) 655-6187.

Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @merenewman.