What It Takes to Save a Life

A Veterinarian’s Quest for Healing and Hope

By: Kwane Stewart

Narrated by: Ron Butler

From Dr. Kwane Stewart, CNN's Hero of the Year for 2023.

Mountains Beyond Mountains meets Tattoos On the Heart in this unforgettable, powerful, and stunningly-told memoir of a struggling veterinarian saving animals and humans on the streets of California - and how he discovered what bonds all living creatures.

Dr. Kwane Stewart was questioning his career as a veterinarian when he saw a homeless man with a flea-infested dog outside of a convenience store. In a moment of spontaneous generosity, he offered to examine the dog and treat him for free. It was the first step in a now nine-year journey that has taken Dr. Kwane from Skid Row to San Francisco and beyond to care for pets and their humans who are living on the streets.

In What It Takes to Save a Life, Dr. Kwane shows how our four-legged, feathered, scaled, and swimming family members—these dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other animals that live side by side with us—provide more than companionship. They offer essential love, hope, and a sense of security.

Written with striking honesty and rich detail, Dr. Kwane looks back on his childhood, how he discovered his appreciation for animals and his calling, and offers a frank assessment of the state of veterinary medicine today, where compassion fatigue, burnout, and suicide are facts of life. Full of warm and inspiring stories of human-animal relationships, this powerful and eye-opening book is a reminder that we are all members of a wider family. It is also a clarion call for each of us to help those in need—especially our most vulnerable brothers and sisters—and the animals who are their families. Wise and warm, Dr. Stewart's story is a reminder that one life can make an immeasurable difference.

Inspiring!

Listening to this book is inspiring and uplifting. It is a reminder of the power of kindness and compassion and forgiveness.

A good view on the human pet relationship

This book reminds us of the basics, the fundamentals we prefer to forget. Be good, be kind, and give people and animals dignity.

Wonderful heartfelt story

Wonderful story by a caring vet. I did find, at times, that it seemed to bounce around some and I had to rewind the audio to see if I missed a transition. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the daily (and career) struggles of veterinarians.

Reality of a veterinarian’s days

I work in the veterinary industry (although not on the medicine side) and this book chronicles what I have learned veterinary professionals experience. I knew nothing of the author before buying but have since learned he’s a gem. Definitely recommend.

extremely inspiring

this book is very insightful, inspiring, heart breaking & informative! I was very moved by hearing about his level of dedication & learning more about his upbringing & life experience. I went to college with the hope of also becoming a vet, but the cards didn't play out for me that way. I am very happy to hear about the heroes that spend every day going out of their way to save as many lives as they can, Truly inspiring 💗