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The phone starts ringing early and it's another day of responding to calls that can vary greatly in their need for help. Often it is a veterinary problem with an animal in trouble and a worried human parent looking for assistance and guidance. Part of the job is evaluating whether the situation falls within OHS's Special Assistance guidelines and, if it does finding the best resources to meet the need. Given the program's limited budget, it can be a challenge. However, when a workable solution is found there is come a wonderful feeling that we have been able to ease an animal's suffering.
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OHS's Special Assistance Program had it's start more than 10 years ago and has been able to offer veterinary care and other help to well over a thousand companion animals. It's been a program filled with help for animals who may have otherwise suffered and died, or lost a chance for a quality future.
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A recent case involved a little dog that was hit by a car in a freak accident. His injuries were serious and his future looked grim, and while his injuries were correctable, the costs were high an and his senior Mom had very limited resources. Working with the wonderful and generous veterinarian Dr. Robert Tisdale and with OHS and donations, "Red" is well on the road to recover. And his Mom and her your granddaughter have renewed faith that good things do happen.
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We also try to help with special cases at the Tri-City Animal Shelter when needed. Recently, a wonderfully kind and loving Doberman Pinscher was picked up as a stray in front of an abandoned store, his foot bleeding from broken glass. When no one came for him, the shelter staff started looking for the right home for this young, gentle giant now called Sirus. Because Sirus's unusual gait could possibly be attributed to painful hip dysplasia which would make him virtually unadoptable, it was decided to take the extra step and find out for certain rather than put him down. The shelter and OHS pooled resources for x-rays and the results showed normal hips and a chance at adoption Just last week, a happy Sirus and his entire family came back to visit at the shelter. Hooray!
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Not all cases have such happy endings. There are times when all we can do is offer help and support to a grief stricken family to bring a beloved but dying animal to the Rainbow Bridge.
Whatever the phone brings, it's really a privilege that OHS is able to offer this valuable service to help end animal suffering.
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Our thanks to the veterinarians, their staff members, groomers, shelter staff and the OHS volunteers who make this possible.
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