Help Marley the Service Dog
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Marley says to tell you....$20,000 is lots of money but each series of chemo treatments is $6500. The cyberknife radiation treatment is $5,000 . Then there's family vet medical visits, Specialist oncology medical visits, maybe a hospital stay or two, bloodwork, prescription medicine and yipee....lots of rotisserie chicken! Please read my story and you will know why my owner is doing everything she can to save me. A man purchased Marley as a puppy in 2009 from a local breeder but after a few short months into his adoption, his owner became ill and required medical attention. Not wanting to believe his illness would be long term, he kept Marley tied outside for friends to stop by and feed his young pet. Within time, it was apparent Marley was not considered a high priority by the owner’s friends and went without food, water, or exercise. To be expected, Marley’s physical condition diminished; weighed only half of his expected weight and lost all of his muscle mass. Fire ants had eaten away to the bones in his feet causing intensive infection. When he was rescued by Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue he was nothing but bones and unable to walk. To our amazement, he was still loving, trusting, and playful.
In 2010, Marley the service dog was the newest member of the First Town 4-H Veterinary Science Club out of Windsor, CT. Once he was rescued, dog trainer and "The Dog Doctor" canine behaviorist Elissa Edson out of Tolland, CT paired up with First Town 4-H who sponsored Marley through a family who was a part of this veterinary science community service club. Marley went through extensive medical and psychological rehab for 6 months and to our continuing amazement, Marley blossomed and grew. He love, compassion and eagerness to learn, despite what he had experienced was honorable. With these characteristics, he was a great service-dog-in-training, always eager to please and prepared to learn. Once he completed his basic service dog training with his foster family, he went back with trainer Elissa Edson to get his official service dog accreditation. While undergoing the extensive Service Dog Certification, Elissa Edson herself was hospitalized and found to have a rare genetic disease called Alpha1 Antitrypsin Enzyme deficiency that attacks the lungs and liver of patients. Marley became keenly aware when Elissa Edson was losing oxygen and needed her breathing treatments and medications. He could predict many hours in advance if pneumonia was setting in and alerted her to quickly take antibiotics and call her physician. He even knows how to use a paw pad connected to the phone which dials 911 if Elissa becomes unable to breathe or loses consciousness. Once he was certified, he stayed with Elissa and became her personal service dog, as he had the special skill of being able to detect when she was about to struggle with onset breathing issues as she has a respiratory disability. Ever since, Marley has been traveling by Elissa's side, helping and aiding every disabled person he meets and brightening many people's days.
However, recently Marley began limping. He was losing his balance on his hind legs and was having trouble standing up and walking properly. Although initial blood tests were run by his veterinarian, the results did not display anything significant. However, with a working breed such as a lab, Marley's veterinarian knew something was strange and sent him for further testing with a Veterinary Neurosurgeon. He underwent extensive neurosurgery to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord as well as take biopsies of the tumors that doctors discovered on his spinal cord.
One week out of the hospital, Marley came home. To our astonishment and despite the fact he, himself was so severely medically compromised, he continued to alert Elissa to her fragile medical condition. Nothing stops Marley!!!! He is truly an amazing dog, one of a kind.
Marley has worked his whole life to benefit the quality of life of all those around him, both humans and canines. We are hopeful that through the treatments Marley will receive that he retains the quality of life that he deserves. With hope, prayers and YOUR help for his very costly cancer treatments and medical management, together we can love and keep this one in a million dog, Marley, in good health. How often, with one donation can you help to save two lives? Elissa and Marley thank you!!!!!
In 2010, Marley the service dog was the newest member of the First Town 4-H Veterinary Science Club out of Windsor, CT. Once he was rescued, dog trainer and "The Dog Doctor" canine behaviorist Elissa Edson out of Tolland, CT paired up with First Town 4-H who sponsored Marley through a family who was a part of this veterinary science community service club. Marley went through extensive medical and psychological rehab for 6 months and to our continuing amazement, Marley blossomed and grew. He love, compassion and eagerness to learn, despite what he had experienced was honorable. With these characteristics, he was a great service-dog-in-training, always eager to please and prepared to learn. Once he completed his basic service dog training with his foster family, he went back with trainer Elissa Edson to get his official service dog accreditation. While undergoing the extensive Service Dog Certification, Elissa Edson herself was hospitalized and found to have a rare genetic disease called Alpha1 Antitrypsin Enzyme deficiency that attacks the lungs and liver of patients. Marley became keenly aware when Elissa Edson was losing oxygen and needed her breathing treatments and medications. He could predict many hours in advance if pneumonia was setting in and alerted her to quickly take antibiotics and call her physician. He even knows how to use a paw pad connected to the phone which dials 911 if Elissa becomes unable to breathe or loses consciousness. Once he was certified, he stayed with Elissa and became her personal service dog, as he had the special skill of being able to detect when she was about to struggle with onset breathing issues as she has a respiratory disability. Ever since, Marley has been traveling by Elissa's side, helping and aiding every disabled person he meets and brightening many people's days.
However, recently Marley began limping. He was losing his balance on his hind legs and was having trouble standing up and walking properly. Although initial blood tests were run by his veterinarian, the results did not display anything significant. However, with a working breed such as a lab, Marley's veterinarian knew something was strange and sent him for further testing with a Veterinary Neurosurgeon. He underwent extensive neurosurgery to relieve the pressure on his spinal cord as well as take biopsies of the tumors that doctors discovered on his spinal cord.
One week out of the hospital, Marley came home. To our astonishment and despite the fact he, himself was so severely medically compromised, he continued to alert Elissa to her fragile medical condition. Nothing stops Marley!!!! He is truly an amazing dog, one of a kind.
Marley has worked his whole life to benefit the quality of life of all those around him, both humans and canines. We are hopeful that through the treatments Marley will receive that he retains the quality of life that he deserves. With hope, prayers and YOUR help for his very costly cancer treatments and medical management, together we can love and keep this one in a million dog, Marley, in good health. How often, with one donation can you help to save two lives? Elissa and Marley thank you!!!!!
Organizer
Marley Lab
Organizer
Tolland, CT
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