Dogtor Loki’s 2nd ACL & Entropion Surgery

As many of you know, my pup Loki is a 2 year old Rottie and is a therapy dog at University of Maryland Medical Center and Shock Trauma. She has become a member of the hospital community, lovingly known as Dogtor Loki, and makes a huge difference for patients, their family members, and employees at the hospital. She is also the face of the Hero Healing Kits campaign that has raised over $70,000 nationwide, in 8 different states.

In early December, Loki sustained an injury that the vet misdiagnosed as a broken foot. She ended up needing ACL surgery on her right leg, which she had done in February. I was told there was a distinct possibility that her left would also go out within a year of her first surgery as a result of her age, breed, size and the way she injured it initially.

Unfortunately, as a full-time medical student, I have little money to live on to begin with. And this last year has been rough one for me financially. My house that is currently on the market (to help pay for school ironically) had to have many unseen repairs done, my car died and I had to get a new one, along with a few other large miscellaneous costs like plane tickets to funerals. But, because of the amazing efforts of so many generous people at our hospital, we were able to raise $4,000 to pay for her first surgery.

As expected, even with following the recovery instructions and doing the water physical therapy, Loki’s left ACL is officially going out. This is a common, but expensive, side effect of compensating with the good leg. To make matters even worse, Loki has what’s called Entropion, where the eyelid starts to slowly turn inward. This can be extremely irritating if eyelashes/hair start rubbing against the eye. It can cause corneal scarring, ulcers, and lead to blindness.

The amazing doctor who did Loki’s original surgery is going to do it again to her other leg. AND, Dr. W is also offering me the Entropion surgery AT-COST to help me out!!! Given her age and how she is walking on it currently, she should hopefully make a full recovery once all is said and done!! But, clearly this is another very large, very unexpected expense that has happened. So, the total comes to about $4,100 (this number does NOT include PT; my neighbor has a pool and is letting me use it to do her PT myself).

I have never publicly asked for help in my entire life until Loki’s first surgery, and this is actually quite hard for me to do. But, Loki is my world, and during her therapy work has changed the lives of many people who are going through some of the darkest, most trying times. So, for her sake, I am willing to swallow my pride and hope for the best. 

To be clear, I will sell everything I own if that means Loki gets the help she deserves. Not only is she an incredible animal, but in my years working with dogs, I have rarely come across such an empathic creature who truly enjoys seeing people in the hospital as much as she does. She lives for it, and I want to get her back to doing what she loves and making a difference in people’s lives. 

So please, do not feel obligated to help. I do not want anyone to stretch themselves thin by donating money they need for their own expenses. I will gladly get a part-time job during school if that’s what it will take. But, if you happen to have any disposable income to help, it will make a world of difference for Loki and me. 

Regardless, thank you for taking the time to read this extra long essay I wrote. And even if you can’t help (which I completely understand), I hope you got to enjoy some cute photos of my fur baby!