San Bartolo is a small, rural community located on the outskirts of Cotacachi, Ecuador. The community is home to eleven families and a reported 25 dogs. It is a tightknit community with a few adobe houses tucked between fields of corn, potatoes, and chocho. This is one of the many indigenous communities where families live in extreme poverty. Here, many of the families have dogs to help protect their land, livestock, and homes. These families have no access to veterinary care and therefore most of these dogs have never been to a veterinarian. 

With a donor’s support, Amici Cannis visited San Bartolo and provided preventive veterinary care, such as spay/neuter and vaccination, to every dog in the community. Prompted by the warm reception from the people of San Bartolo, our team planned a return visit to bring a smile to the children and their families, and to teach them about the basic needs and care of their dogs and cats. We were pleasantly surprised to see how bonded the children are to their companion animals, and that attachment generates compassion in kids. 

Through our “Be Kind” program, we aim to nurture children’s disposition to care for all animals and the environment they live in.