This will be the second time Smoky Mountain Medical Mission has partnered with the Swain County Health Department to bring these free services to the people of Western North Carolina. While the clinics are being held in Bryson City and Hayesville, the services are available to anyone willing to make the drive and wait for hours to be seen.

The clinic is done through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program. When the clinic came to Murphy in 2014, about 8,000 people and 2,600 cats and dogs received free care.

There are no residency, insurance or income requirements to receive service, but ideally it’s available for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Patients are encouraged to bring a list of their current medications.

In Swain County, the clinic will be held at Swain County High School, located at 1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City. In Clay County, the clinic will be held at Hayesville High School, located at 205 Yellow Jacket Drive.

Registration begins each morning at 8 a.m. People should expect long lines and wait times. Mountain Projects is organizing transportation for Haywood and Jackson residents who want to attend the clinic. For more information, call 828.452.1447.