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Mo Tragedy can strike anywhere, anytime. Mo, a German Shepherd, was suffering from abscesses caused by debris embedded in his skin after a serious motor vehicle accident he and his family suffered. The accident left one of his owners a quadriplegic, and Mo, terrified at being thrown from the vehicle when it rolled, ran away and was missing for nearly two months before a Good Samaritan found him and returned him to his family. “We were in shock and couldn’t believe our beloved Mo had been found. It was wonderful to have a little good news for a change since the car accident,” his owners wrote to the Helping Pets Fund. The family was thrilled when they learned that Mo had been found but concerned, because he had lost about 20 pounds and was still suffering from the injuries he sustained in the accident. Though their financial situation was changed by the accident, they never questioned the value of providing the treatment Mo needed. Mo’s veterinarian and her staff were aware of the family’s difficult situation and applied to the AAHA Helping Pets Fund on their behalf. They cited the family’s devotion to Mo as their motivation for doing so. “It is wonderful that there are programs such as yours out there to help people in need with their pets. I know I speak for many people that our pets are like family and we love them so very much and truly appreciate [the] help.” Mo and his family continue to adjust to their changed life circumstances, but all are on the road to better days. Boo was suffering from a common but life-threatening illness, a urinary blockage, which needed immediate treatment. Already faced with limited means, Boo’s owner took him to the nearest vet. Less than a week later, Boo’s bladder blocked again. Boo’s owner was understandably worried and, this time, he needed a little help. He found the AAHA Helping Pets Fund and contacted an AAHA-accredited hospital in Ontario, Canada. They agreed to see Boo right away and, because the cost of treatment was as troubling for the owner as Boo’s illness, they applied to the Helping Pets Fund. “Without your assistance I would be grieving the loss of another loved one,” Boo’s owner wrote to the AAHA Helping Pets Fund. “As for the care and dedication the staff of [the hospital] has shown, well, I just can’t find any other word but STUPENDOUS.” Boo is a very lucky kitty. A part of his owner’s family for less than two years with a history that includes multiple rescues, he has become a vital part of the household. “The mere thought of losing him was devastating, and I would not accept that as an option. I made a promise to this little guy when I first got him that as long as I am alive I was going to provide him a happy home and a healthy life. And thanks to your assistance it looks like that promise will be kept.” The goal of the AAHA Helping Pets Fund is to provide assistance for emergency veterinary treatment of pets that might not receive it without help from an outside source. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are pleased to be able to help families such as Boo’s stay together through difficult times. One Friday in April, a Good Samaritan rushed an eight-month-old pit bull mix to Stack Veterinary Hospital, Syracuse, NY. The woman had found the injured puppy on the side of a major highway. Upon arrival, both the woman and puppy were covered in blood. The puppy was in shock, and intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and pain medications were started immediately. The examination revealed a severely swollen and painful left eye, as well as other injuries. While he was monitored by practice staff over the weekend, the puppy found his way into everyone's heart. By Monday morning the eye had deteriorated and had to be removed, and the practice turned to the AAHA Helping Pets Fund to help with treatment expenses. The practice named him Willy, and a staff member fostered him during his recovery, bringing him with her to work every day, where he continued to win hearts. “The AAHA Helping Pets Fund really gave Willy a second chance at life and a good home,” said Katie Murphy, Stack Veterinary Technician. “Without the Fund’s help, he would have had to be euthanized.”
The Stack Veterinary Hospital practice team and Willy. Ralphie, a 12-year-old Sheltie, was treated in January 2006 for renal failure and wounds suffered in a dog fight. An AAHA Helping Pets Fund grant helped. “Ralphie’s story is especially difficult because his ‘mom’ Chris Simkins has cervical cancer,” wrote Valerie Fystro, Countryside Client Relations Department Head, in a letter supporting the grant application. “She has had cancer for two years and has been devoted to her dogs the entire time.” In response to Ms. Simkins’ plight, the practice asked their clients for donations. When combined with the AAHA Helping Pets Fund grant, their generosity reduced Ms. Simkins’ bill to zero. Sadly, Ralphie’s renal failure worsened over time forcing euthanasia. Within two months, Ms. Simkins succumbed to her illness. “When one of our patients needed help, the AAHA Helping Pets Fund was there,” says Valerie. “Ralphie’s story really touched our hearts.”
Fortunately Lazenby survived, but while recovering from his extensive injuries, Lazenby’s beloved Greyhound, George, developed a mass on his leg that needed to be removed. Faced with his own mounting medical bills, Lazenby wondered how he would afford to pay for George’s treatment. That’s when the AAHA Helping Pets Fund came into the picture. The Fund provided a grant to pay for George’s surgery through local AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, Centerville Animal Hospital, Snellville, GA. “We are so grateful that the AAHA Helping Pets Fund was available to help the Lazenbys in their time of need,” says Sherri A. Bradley, DVM, of Centerville Animal Hospital, PC. “They are longtime clients and dedicated animal lovers, and we wanted to do everything we could to help them — the Fund made that possible.”
 Imagine leaving your home and seeing an injured and abandoned puppy. Joshua Ridgeway and Charity DeFabris knew that the poor, abused pup outside their apartment community needed them. The couple rushed her to Noah’s Westside Animal Hospital, an AAHA-accredited hospital in Indianapolis. The puppy was around 16 weeks old and depressed with multiple oozing burns on her back, neck and leg. She had no tags or microchip and was in dire need of medical attention. “Mr. Ridgeway and Ms. DeFabris were desperate to help this estranged puppy, but are also very limited financially as they have young children at home, one of which has cancer,” says Office Manager Patsy Campbell. The couple agreed to foster the puppy during her convalescence, and gave her a new name – Shadow. After several return visits and a few setbacks (sutures that wouldn’t stay put), Shadow was on the road to recovery. “Shadow’s wounds appear to be healing nicely and she is learning to be a puppy again,” says Campbell. “Mr. Ridgeway’s and Ms. DeFabris’s hearts went out to this puppy and they have made great sacrifices in helping her with home care and daily trips to the clinic,” says Campbell. “We, too, have taken into consideration our clients’ financial and personal situation and have helped in any way we can – staff members helping with treatments off the clock, donated materials, and courtesy procedures.” A grant from the AAHA Helping Pets Fund helped. “We’re glad to team with the practice to cover the costs of care,” said Jack Hoopes, AAHA Foundation General Manager. “Cases like this are why the Fund exists.”
Brewster is a large handsome, male, grey tabby who suffered a broken leg. His owners couldn’t afford to fix him, so he was placed in a splint for five weeks, but the bones didn’t heal. The leg was very painful, and wasn’t healing on its own. His only option was to have his leg amputated. Unfortunately, his owners didn’t want the surgery, and asked that he be euthanized. The staff at Kulshan Veterinary Hospital stepped in to save Brewster’s life and find him a new family. The Helping Pets Fund gave them a grant to help out with Brewster’s surgery. He is up for adoption and is healing nicely. We received this message from the practice… “Brewster had his left rear leg amputated on October 12, and is now doing wonderful! He is confined while he heals from the surgery, but he doesn’t understand why he has to be confined because he moves around great! He walks around and plays as if he never lost a leg. Brewster is a special needs kitty, but he doesn’t know it. He has a great personality with lots of expressions.”
Annie Edison is getting older and isn’t as active as she used to be. Pixie is her only company. That’s why Annie was so distraught to learn that Pixie had neck lesions on her right mandible, as well as periodontal disease. The note from the practice read… “The owner always keeps cat vaccinations current, but due to her limited funds and her being on a lot of medicine herself, there aren’t enough funds for this procedure. She has never asked for assistance from anyone before. This cat is all she has. We were so pleased that the AAHA Helping Pets Fund was able to pay for Pixie’s entire treatment. Now she and Annie are back together again, happy and healthy!”
This abandoned Pit Bull was left tied up outside of Greene Animal Hospital in Memphis. Stormey was badly injured and spent the night in a harsh thunderstorm (hence her name). Although she was afraid, she welcomed the attention of the practice staff who came to her aid. She was treated and eventually placed in a new home. The Fund helped with a “Good Samaritan” grant for part of the cost of Stormey’s care. In acknowledging the grant, the practice wrote “Thank you very much. She is recovering nicely. Without the grant we would have had to euthanize. You saved her life.” We hear this quite often, but Stormey's experiences are, unfortunately, all too common. Luckily, things are looking up for this sweet girl.
In April 2005, the Fund received this desperate plea from Jill S. of Fargo, North Dakota…
“I’m applying for your grant to help my long-time companion and therapy dog Chucky. I’ve been clinically depressed my entire adult life, but with Chucky nearby, things are doable. I got Chucky as a pup. He will soon be 8 years old.” Chucky had a tumor, a huge growth the size of a tennis ball on his right shoulder. Jill had her own problems over the years and had let it go. It was getting increasingly bigger and could no longer be ignored. Now her vet was worried and wanted to do blood work, skin growth removal, and hospitalization – necessary, but very expensive treatment. Jill was on food stamps and not earning an income. She had no idea how she was going to afford Chucky’s care. The Fund awarded a grant of $500 to the practice (Valley Veterinary Hospital), which made a big dent in the charges for Chucky’s treatment. Chucky is doing great today and is still helping Jill get through her daily life. We received a thank-you card with the above photo of Chucky and this note from Jill… “Chucky and I want to say Thank You for the grant you gave us that made his surgery today possible. I am grateful to say it went well and he’ll likely be playing ball soon. Thanks a lot!”
Valorie Puluso knew something was wrong with Dayna, her Border Collie/German Shepherd mix. Upon closer inspection, Valorie discovered that Dayna’s paw had a serious injury. Valorie rushed Dayna to the veterinarian but worried about her condition and how she could ever afford the treatment. You see, Valorie had recently lost her job. An AAHA Helping Pets Fund grant allowed Dayna to get the care she needed. Dayna is doing fine today – her paw is healed and she’s back to her old self.
Shanelle Cooper was horrified to see Pepper, her Chihuahua/Poodle mix, in pain and limping. Pepper had jumped from a friend’s arms and broken her leg in a watch band. Shanelle rushed Pepper to the vet, but was worried about the cost. The AAHA Helping Pets Fund and Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital provided funds to help defray the cost of the treatment. “I’m very grateful to Harrison and the AAHA Helping Pets Fund for making it possible for me to get Pepper the help she needed,” said Shanelle. “Pepper is part of our family — she really makes us happy, so my son Jordan and I are very pleased to have her home now.” AAHA Helping Pets Fund |
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Postal worker Earl “Woody” Lazenby’s world was turned upside down on June 29, 2005, when he was shot eight times during his regular mail delivery route in suburban Atlanta. His assailant, unknown to Lazenby, was motivated by a desire to escape insurmountable debts by becoming incarcerated..jpg)