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ARVIAT - Man's best friend got a healthy dose of attention in Arviat last week, with the help of some visiting veterinarians.

The Arviat Puppy Lovers Association (APLA) recently organized a visit from two Winnipeg-based animal doctors.

Senna Oolooyuk and Joshua Alagalak learn by watching veterinary team Rekha Orchard and Pam Eggar work on a patient. - photo courtesy of Stephanie Czyz

Between Aug. 22 and 25, more than 40 dogs and a handful of cats got affordable treatment.

"We know that a lot of people can't afford to send their pets all the way to Winnipeg to get care," said APLA co-founder Stephanie Czyz.

The project has been named the Nuuk Initiative, after co-founder Brett MacCallum's young pup. He moved to the community about six months ago, and was surprised to find there were no veterinary services available to his new pet.

"There are a lot of work animals outside, and because there's no access to vets to spay and neuter, there are a lot of puppies. People can't afford to feed them all and they can't find them homes," MacCallum said.

He and Czyz, who work together at Eskimo Point Lumber, soon hatched their plan and contacted the Winnipeg Humane Society.

"We found a vet and a vet nurse who were willing to volunteer to come here," Czyz said.

A temporary clinic was set up inside Qitiqliq middle school, and many residents dropped by to watch the proceedings.

"The most amazing part about it was children were coming in and were interested in what was going on. The vets were able to explain the procedure and its importance, and that had a really big impact," Czyz said. "The kids weren't scared and will always be less reluctant in the future if their pet needs some kind of treatment."

Dog team owner Paul Amarudjuak was one local resident to take advantage of the service.

Amarudjuak, who works as a janitor at the school, said he hadn't heard the vets were coming. When word got around, he brought both his lead dogs into the school to be spayed.

"Both of my lead dogs are female, and I didn't want to have to use pregnant dogs," he said.

His remaining nine dogs got a house call from the vets, who travelled on the land to vaccinate the team against distemper and rabies.

In total, about 45 dogs and four cats were seen by the vets over their visit. The vets also left enough vaccinations for about 40 more animals - to take care of teams on the land they weren't able to reach.

"We had everything from a Great Dane to a chihuahua," Czyz said. "At one point we had 10 dogs lined up, all of the kennels were full, and there was one on the operating table."

Most of the services provided were spaying, neutering and vaccinations, although the vets also treated an ear infection and performed one eye surgery.

All procedures were 70 to 80 per cent paid for thanks to local individuals and businesses, who provided cash and in-kind donations like accommodations, vehicles and supplies.

Calm Air flew in the vets for free.

Oxygen and sterilization equipment came from the local health centre for use in the space donated by the school.

"Really, people just had to pay for the actual cost of the medication," MacCallum said.

Both organizers said they were "overwhelmed" by the generosity.

MacCallum said APLA is already planning to bring vets back to the community, perhaps as a tie-in with the Hudson Bay Quest. The annual dogsled race, based out of Churchill, typically includes veterinary services.

"We'd love to tie the two communities together and get working co-operatively, between Arviat and Churchill," he said. "If we have Arviat and Churchill working together we can fundraise even more."