Help the Lattanzio Family Save Shelby

The Lattanzio Family (Mike, Kristin, Mikey, and Joey) has suffered a medical emergency with their German Shepherd puppy, Shelby. On Wednesday night, July 31st, after chasing a deer from her house, Shelby was struck by a car on Caldwell. Ave. Due to the deforestation efforts and bike path agenda of the Chicago Forest Preserve, the local deer population has been displaced and are living in the backyards of the local residents. This has caused an increased risk of car accidents in this area from the deer and the animals who chase them. Shelby was in her own backyard and was startled by the deer, got away from her family, and ended up being struck by a car going at least 35 mph. She has sustained a subluxation of her T7 vertebrae and fracture of the L7 vertebrae, internal bleeding, liver injury, large skin wound, and neurological weakness in one of her back legs. She required admission to the ICU, has been on fentanyl, gabapentin, and oxygen for the past three days. She is showing signs of improvement, but will need an MRI to determine the severity of T7 subluxation and subsequent surgery to stabilize the subluxation.

This dog is Mikey Lattanzio’s therapy dog and he needs her for when he is away at school. The Lattanzio family has already lost their other fur baby, Puck, this year. The financial, physical, and emotional toll on the dog and family has been astronomical. We are asking for any amount of financial assistance to help out with caring for this one-year-old beloved family puppy who has so much love, energy, and caring left to give.

Medical costs, so far have been over $8000, just for ICU care. The MRI and surgery will be at least $20,000, and Shelby will incur additional costs for physical therapy services.

PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!