Speaker’s Biography

A graduate of the renowned Colorado State University Veterinary program, Dr. Kwane Stewart has been a California practicing vet for 22 years. He has worked in nearly every part of the profession honing his clinical and business expertise.

His journey started in 1997 as an associate and emergency clinician in San Diego. From there he climbed the ranks quickly, becoming the Chief Medical Officer of Vetco Hospitals, Inc. Later he would take the reins of a struggling municipal shelter as County Veterinarian and reverse one of the worst euthanasia rates in the country. Most recently, he completed a six-year stint as the Chief Veterinary Officer of American Humane, and Director of their legacy program, No Animals Were Harmed®, protecting over 100,000 animals every year around the globe on film and TV sets. Now he serves as Netflix’s Veterinary Consultant in charge of Animal Oversight. Behind the scenes, he has worked on such films as “War Horse” and “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.”

He has been sought for his expertise by many media outlets and major companies – including Disney, United Airlines and Sea World – for guidance to improve their animal care standards. He is known for his outspoken, compassionate, charismatic and genuine nature.

Today, his career has evolved into another new journey, helping pets and people in need. Many years ago, during a five-year tenure as a Shelter Veterinarian in a struggling, depressed area of California, Dr. Stewart began to form a true appreciation for those who struggle to afford health care for their pets.

One day, on a whim, he headed downtown with some medical supplies. He set up a table near a homeless food bank and invited anyone with a pet to be examined and treated at no charge. It was the most memorable day of his career. Afterwards, he made more consistent efforts to find the unhoused, wherever they were, and give free medical aid to their pets.

Now, years later, his journey is being chronicled on a new television series called “The Street Vet.” It follows him as he travels the streets of California helping pets and people alike while retrieving some of the most remarkable and inspiring stories of sacrifice and hope. With that came the founding of Project Street Vet. Dr. Stewart’s nonprofit provides free veterinary care, treatment, and support to the pets of individuals experiencing homelessness and/or financial hardship and is expanding across the country.

Honoring his years of impactful work, Dr. Stewart was recently recognized as the CNN Hero of the Year for 2023.