Helping Holly- A Scottish Terrier Service Dog

“Hi!  I’m Holly, a spunky 11 year old Scottish Terrier service dog.  I’ve been a very good girl who has always tried to live life to the fullest- and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon!  This is my story.  I've lived with my two very attentive Dads (Jeff and Todd) since I was a very small puppy.  (I was a Christmas present.  What could be more fun!!)  I've been very healthy and active until recently when my daddies noticed a funny sore spot on my tummy during one of my many belly rubs and after trips to see several different veterinarians to get poked and prodded and scanned, I knew something had changed because everybody got really sad.  I still don’t understand exactly what is happening and I try to keep on doing my normal things,  but my daddies are terribly worried. 

 Our newest vet lady checked the fast-growing tumor on my tummy and said it is from lymphoma (a kind of cancer).  Without treatment I might cross the Rainbow Bridge very soon.  Now, I know I could kick butt on the other side of that Bridge place, but I really need to be here longer to help my  Daddy Jeff . You see, he is deaf and I am his hearing ear service dog.  I help him all the time by letting him know when someone is at the door knocking, if alarms go off, or if there are noises that need to be investigated.  We’ve traveled many miles together.  I help him hear things and protect him fearlessly anytime danger approaches.  I even know how to “listen” to his hands when he signs to me.  I’ve been training my little Scottie sister Sunday to help Daddy Jeff “hear” things just like I do, but she’s still a very young girl and not ready yet.  There’s a lot more I need to teach her before I jump over that darn bridge!  

 Please help my Daddy Jeff and Daddy Todd get me the chemotherapy treatments I need.  They say I am worth every penny!”   

 Background:  Sweet Holly is facing the fight of her little life… and needs some help to have a Scottie-strong chance to overcome recently-diagnosed lymphoma.  A small tumor on her belly started to grow rapidly and quickly become blistered and sore.  A mammary gland tumor was initially suspected.  But veterinary oncology specialists in Orlando did a biopsy and confirmed a diagnosis of lymphoma last week.  There was some hopeful news… the lymphoma has so far only affected one lymph node and there is no sign of spread to other organs.  Holly’s vet noted that she is otherwise very healthy.  But, unless aggressively treated, lymphoma is likely to advance very quickly.  Holly has already received her first chemotherapy treatment but needs to have a series of 5 more treatments with one treatment given every three weeks.  The first treatment already led to a remarkable decrease in the size of her tumor!

Total cost of the remaining series of treatments will be $3,500 - $4,000; each chemotherapy injection visit costs approximately $600, plus necessary follow-up testing and other medications.  Jeff and Todd need some help to  cover the cost of Holly’s remaining chemotherapy treatments.   They would be so very grateful for donations toward Holly’s vet care so she can have the chance at a longer life that she deserves. 

Jeff and Todd are volunteers with the Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida,  provided a safe foster home for Scotties in transition and  loving care for hospice fosters, and participate often in fundraisers to benefit the Rescue.  Helping them now with Holly would be a great way to pay-it-forward and keep the Scottie friends helping other Scottie friends circle going.

 Any donation, no matter how small, will go so far to help Holly beat this cancer so she can continue her important work as Jeff’s “ears”.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving Holly a chance!  We appreciate your love and support so much.
 
Donations may also be sent directly to the Oncology Vet Clinic where Holly is being treated by Dr. Teresa Goodson.  They can be applied to the account of Todd Persons/Jeff Steinhoff for Holly at:

 BluePearl Specialty Pet Hospital
Maitland, Florida
(407) [phone redacted]
BluePearl Vet Maitland FL Website and Contact Information