Help Our Senior Animal Keeper, Martine!

Introduction: Martine Gutierrez has been a cherished member of the Lions Tigers & Bears family since 2007, pouring his heart into every aspect of caring for our beloved rescued animals. From providing daily care to building new habitats and going on life-saving rescue missions, Martine has consistently gone above and beyond for the sanctuary. Now, he needs our help. As he faces serious medical challenges, we’re asking our community to rally around him, just as he has for so many animals in need. Let’s show Martine the same dedication, compassion, and generosity.

Martine’s Story: In April 2021, Martine was diagnosed with throat cancer. He underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, which required the use of a stomach tube for feeding. While these treatments addressed the cancer, the radiation caused complications in his jaw and teeth, resulting in losing teeth and difficulty eating and speaking.

In July 2024, his condition worsened, leading to an exposed jawbone and the need for urgent medical interventions. Despite these challenges, Martine has returned to work. However, he now requires dental surgery and hyperbaric treatments, with estimated costs of around $12,000 that his insurance will not cover.

Why We Need Your Help: Martine’s treatments have resulted in significant out-of-pocket costs:

We aim to raise $12,000 to help Martine cover these medical expenses and hopefully more to alleviate some of the financial strain caused by lost work time.

How You Can Make a Difference: Your contribution will directly support Martine’s recovery:

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Martine one step closer to recovery. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this campaign within your network can make an enormous impact.

Martine’s Legacy: Martine has been a cornerstone of our sanctuary for 17 years. His dedication and compassion are cherished by staff, visitors, and, of course, the animals. Let’s come together to support him as he has supported us and our animals all these years.

Thank you for your generosity and kindness!

Bobbi Brink,

Founder / Director

P.S. To ensure every dollar of your donation goes directly toward Martine’s recovery, Lions Tigers & Bears will cover all transaction fees for this campaign. 100% of your gift will be given directly to Martine.

Additional Information:

Name and Relationship to Beneficiary: My name is Bobbi Brink, and I am the employer of the beneficiary, Neftali “Martine” Guiterrez.

How the Funds Will Be Used: All donations will go toward Martine’s medical expenses, specifically his dental surgeries, teeth extractions, follow-up recovery care, and related costs. Any remaining funds will help cover lost wages due to his treatment and recovery period.

Management of Funds: I will manage the funds and pay the bills and expenses on Martine’s behalf to ensure they are used for his medical and recovery needs.