Farley Foundation fundraising helps save life of Stratford woman's guide dog
Article content
Had it not been for the money collected through the Farley Foundation’s annual Fundraise for Farley Month, a Stratford woman could have lost her guide dog, Thor.
When Thor fell ill after eating dinner one evening last November, Michelle Stolz — who has been blind since type 1 diabetes took her sight when she was 25 — was certain something was seriously wrong with her support animal.
“It was probably about 9:30 p.m. when I noticed. He was wandering around acting funny, so then I started feeling all over his body and I realized his back end was (distended) and it was really hard, …and he was drooling,” Stolz recalled.
After Stolz called the Perth Veterinary Services emergency line, the veterinarian on call, Dr. Mac Littlejohn, told her that Thor was likely suffering from gastric dilation volvulus, commonly known as bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach flips over and traps air and gas from escaping.
Though Littlejohn told Stolz that the chances of Thor surviving bloat were slim, even with emergency surgery, the veterinarian wanted to do everything in his power to save the animal Stolz relies on daily. But because Stolz is on government assistance, she couldn’t afford the surgery Thor needed.
That was when staff at the vet clinic made the decision to apply for funding from the Farley Foundation — an organization established by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association to help low-income pet owners cover the costs of emergency medical treatment.
“It was amazing. They took a big chunk of the bill and then there was all donations from wonderful people out there that donated to pay for all of his medical bills,” Stolz said.
In the end, the veterinarians at Perth Veterinary Services were able to save Thor thanks to some quick surgery at their St. Marys office, and Stolz’s animal companion and sole source of independence was able to continue serving his master.
But Stolz’s experience isn’t unique.
Sarah Tickner, the receptionist at the Perth Veterinary Services office in Stratford, said the funding available through The Farley Foundation helps to remove the financial barrier for many low-income pet owners who want nothing more than to save their companion’s life.
“When it does happen, we want to be able to help, and the Farley Foundation does step in, in a lot of cases,” Tickner said. “…Otherwise, these animals could be potentially euthanized. The pets’ owners and the doctors don’t want to see an animal suffering for any length of time, so if it’s a life-and-death emergency, and people have to make decisions right there and then if they’re going to be able to afford their rent, or to be able to eat for the next 6 months — depending on the type of surgery — it’s a very emotional ordeal for a person to go through.
“… It’s emotional on both sides. Our doctors are here to save animals. We’re not here to put them down. We do not want that… so obviously through funding like this being available, it really does have a huge impact.”
On Monday, the Farley Foundation kicked off its largest annual fundraising campaign. More than 300 veterinary practices across the province will organize events for Fundraise for Farley Month, which raised more than $253,000 last year.
To support the campaign, donations can be made at participating veterinary clinics or online at farleyfoundation.org.
Since it was established in 2002, the foundation has distributed more than $3.8 million to more than 9,000 pets in need. It subsidizes up to 100 per cent of the cost of care to a maximum of $1,000 per pet or pet owner per year for vital treatments including diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, and medications. Pet owners demonstrating financial
need can apply for funding through their veterinarian.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.