Dave Van Der Molen's Guide Dog Emergency Surgery
Donation protected
About Dave and Delight
Dave Van Der Molen and his guide dog, Delight, are a familiar sight in and around Elmira. Delight is 7 year old standard poodle and has been guiding Dave, who has been totally blind since birth, for approximately 4 years. Delight guides Dave so he can walk with his daughter every morning as she does her paper route. Delight also guides him safely to work and back, and on daily exercise walks.
What Happened?
On October 12, Dave and Agnes were away for the evening, and when they got home, they discovered that Delight was not herself. Her stomach was distended, she was breathing hard, and not able to get comfortable. Their kids told them that she had been whimpering for a while earlier.
At 11:00 p.m., Agnes drove Delight to an emergency vet clinic in Cambridge. After doing an X-ray, the vet said Delight had a twisted stomach and would either have to be euthanized or have emergency surgery, costing around $7,000. Two or three weeks after surgery, however, she is expected to be completely back to normal. Dave had to make a decision on the spot, and opted for the surgery. Delight acts as Dave's eyes and a means for him to function safely in and around his community. Delight is not a "pet"; she is a necessity. It is no small task to start over with a new guide dog.
The clinic couldn't perform the operation Delight needed to have, and the animal hospital at the University of Guelph couldn't either, because they were operating on a horse. So Agnes had to drive Delight, connected to an IV pole, to Newmarket, a couple of hours away, where a surgeon was waiting.
The surgery was successful. Delight should be able to go home on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 14.
What Can You Do?
Dave and his wife Agnes need your help to pay for this immediate and unexpected expense. The surgery amount and after care will total approximately $7500. Any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Dave Van Der Molen and his guide dog, Delight, are a familiar sight in and around Elmira. Delight is 7 year old standard poodle and has been guiding Dave, who has been totally blind since birth, for approximately 4 years. Delight guides Dave so he can walk with his daughter every morning as she does her paper route. Delight also guides him safely to work and back, and on daily exercise walks.
What Happened?
On October 12, Dave and Agnes were away for the evening, and when they got home, they discovered that Delight was not herself. Her stomach was distended, she was breathing hard, and not able to get comfortable. Their kids told them that she had been whimpering for a while earlier.
At 11:00 p.m., Agnes drove Delight to an emergency vet clinic in Cambridge. After doing an X-ray, the vet said Delight had a twisted stomach and would either have to be euthanized or have emergency surgery, costing around $7,000. Two or three weeks after surgery, however, she is expected to be completely back to normal. Dave had to make a decision on the spot, and opted for the surgery. Delight acts as Dave's eyes and a means for him to function safely in and around his community. Delight is not a "pet"; she is a necessity. It is no small task to start over with a new guide dog.
The clinic couldn't perform the operation Delight needed to have, and the animal hospital at the University of Guelph couldn't either, because they were operating on a horse. So Agnes had to drive Delight, connected to an IV pole, to Newmarket, a couple of hours away, where a surgeon was waiting.
The surgery was successful. Delight should be able to go home on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 14.
What Can You Do?
Dave and his wife Agnes need your help to pay for this immediate and unexpected expense. The surgery amount and after care will total approximately $7500. Any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Letkeman
Organizer
Elmira, ON
Agnes Van Der Molen
Beneficiary