The heart of Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates spreads beyond the walls of the practice and into the community. Dr. Kalvig and Dr. Shorter share a deep interest in voluntary service and have served as leaders within their veterinary community in areas of disaster response since 9/11. Upon learning of the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers, the doctors closed their hospital and travelled downtown with their nurses in a car filled with medical supplies to offer their assistance in any way they were needed. Over the next 72 hours they worked closely with colleagues at the Suffolk County SPCA Mobile Mash Unit, stationed a few blocks north of Ground Zero, where hundreds of Search and Rescue Dogs would receive rest, emergency triage, and treatment over the months to come.
Dr. Shorter and colleagues create the initial bathing station for Search and Rescue Dogs at Ground Zero utilizing a dumpster and an active fire hose.
The doctors transport three Toy Poodles rescued from an abandoned building to their hospital for safe keeping until their owner could be found.
Over 400 Search and Rescue Dogs were triaged at the veterinary treatment and rest area created at Ground Zero. Emergency protocol included bathing, cooling, clearing of eye and ear debris, fluid therapy for dehydration, as well as specific treatments administered as needed for each individual dog.
Two months after the earthquakes of January 2010, much of the devastation of Port au Prince remains.
The doctors travelled by open bed truck over rugged terrain across the countryside of Haiti transporting relief supplies brought from the US, and purchased locally, by NYCVERT donations. On narrow roads they passed rural villages and large trucks headed to and from Port au Prince.
Dr. Shorter views the destruction while travelling through the city.
Dr. Kalvig and Dr. Accime' with the school director of one of many orphanages that was structurally damaged beyond repair. Here, the doctors distributed toys, and school and art supplies for the children.
Dr. Shorter opens the bags to distribute medical supplies purchased by NYCVERT to an HIV clinic, as one of several medical facilities they visited and brought medicines and supplies to.
Dr. Shorter, Dr. Accime', and Dr. Kalvig with the family in charge of a large orphanage where NYCVERT donations provided much needed relief, including tarps, clothing, toys, school and art supplies, food, cooking pans, and utensils.
The doctors and staff arrive for the holiday party delivering holiday gifts donated by KSV Associates and their clients to young mothers and children of the Foundling Home
After working the first 72 hours downtown, the doctors returned to their practice with three Toy Poodles rescued from an abandoned building in Battery Park. The three small dogs were kept safely at their hospital until the owner was located and they could be located and reunited. Their Upper East Side veterinary hospital evolved into a well known logistical center for supply distribution and communications, and lead site for coordination of 24 hour/7 day a week veterinary care at Ground Zero, until it was no longer needed.
When veterinary care was no longer needed, by request of the NYC Office of Emergency Management (NYC OEM), Dr. Kalvig and Dr. Shorter co-founded New York City Veterinary Emergency Response Team (NYCVERT), with their colleagues from Ground Zero. Due to the success of their work following 9/11, this group was invited to be a charter member of NYC OEM's newly formed Animal Planning Task Force (APTF). As a recognized 501(c)3 veterinary disaster response agency, NYCVERT has played an integral role in multiple phases of NYC disaster preparedness as related to animals. NYCVERT provided veterinary care at the 2004 Republican National Convention and US OPEN events, and participates in APTF public education events highlighting disaster preparedness for pets. Alongside fellow APTF agencies, using lessons learned from 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, NYCVERT played a role in writing the ground breaking Disaster Animal Response Plan ( DARP) for NYC, as well as the NYC OEM Ready New York Guide For Pets.
NYCVERT is the lead veterinary agency called upon during times of emergency activation in New York City. As active Board Members of NYCVERT, Dr. Kalvig and Dr. Shorter, played key roles in city wide veterinary responses during Hurricane Irene in 2012 and Super Storm Sandy in 2013. In addition to providing veterinary care for Search and Rescue Dogs, when called upon, NYCVERT is responsible for coordinating the same veterinary care for pets housed with their owners in emergency activated evacuation centers and shelters throughout the five boroughs of NYC. This phase of DARP was successfully put into action during Irene, followed by massive activations during Sandy where over 200 pets were housed in shelters with their owners, and hundreds more were cared for in a special long term boarding facility.
In early 2010, NYCVERT established a special fundraising initiative for the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti. In March, Dr. Kalvig and Dr. Shorter travelled with as many relief supplies as the airlines would allow them to carry, and once in Haiti, purchased additional items. Alongside their colleague, Dr. Masani Accime', with two local drivers and an assistant, they travelled across the country as NYCVERT representatives to deliver emergency relief items and medical supplies to hospital clinics and orphanages devastated by the earthquakes. Supplies purchased and delivered by the NYCVERT fund included a large variety of medications and hospital items, tarps, children's clothing, toys, art and school supplies, food and cooking utensils.
In addition to their ongoing commitment to disaster preparedness, throughout the year Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates serves as a daily collection point for food and/or supplies for CITIHARVEST and Feeding Pets of the Homeless. As well, KSV sponsors an annual gift and clothing drive for various organizations supporting mothers and children in need during the holiday seasons, and a variety of volunteer initiatives for animals. Both Dr. Kalvig and Dr. Shorter serve as veterinary advisors for the Suffolk County SPCA.
