CCL Surgery for My Service Dog, West

Hey, everyone! This is West, my 9-year-old service dog. She and each of her other litter mates were all named after compass directions. I got West after she was returned to the shelter by her previous adopters. The individuals that had originally adopted her said she was not “puppy” enough and was too docile. When I heard she was returned, I knew she could make a great companion and help my service needs at the same time. Over the years, West has come to learn to seek help if myself or my partner are injured, she has done search and rescue for other animal searches, she loves to comfort people, and even tells me when my blood sugar is low. When I have gastric episodes due to my gastroparesis, she will lay on the floor with me or outside the room where she can still keep an eye on me until I feel better. She corrals my niece and nephew and checks on them consistently when they are around. She is so intuitive that it has made our bond so incredibly strong and I know she has touched the lives of those she has met along the way.

 

Recently, while playing in the back yard with her siblings, she decided to chase a bunny. West did not realize that a 9-year-old dog should not sprint through the woods and she ended up tearing her ACL and her meniscus. Her specific injury is a Cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Since the tear, she has been limping and can no longer go on walks or play. We try to manage her pain with medications, but these medications will eventually cause kidney and liver damage with long-term use, plus they don’t treat the underlying cause. Without surgery, West will be permanently unable to put full weight on her right leg, jump up on a couch without pain, or run…anywhere.

West’s veterinarian has estimated that the surgery to repair her ACL and meniscus will cost a minimum $2,500 before medications, physical therapy, or anything that may come up during surgery. Due to my financial situation, I do not have the ability to pull this large of a cost together, so I am seeking help from the community around me. I believe that if I can raise enough money to cover the surgery costs, I can eat lots of ramen and save up for the other costs that will come post operation.

 

Any donation would be greatly appreciated. If you’re unable to contribute financially, you can still help us out by sharing this campaign with your friends and family. However you’re able to help, West and I would be forever grateful. Thank you for spreading the love!