Jaspers Knee Surgery

Soooo…. We need your help!

As some of you may already know, I work with River Trail Animal hospital, and am entrusted with caring for many of our clients’ dogs when they board them

with us.

I also am very much involved with our rescue, frequently fostering, training, assessing behavior.

Jasper is a shepherd mix who came into our rescue, October 2022, and I immediately jumped on the chance to foster him. Well…. his love for my (then 1 year old) daughter, Em, was precious, and they developed a special bond. The rest is history… foster fail!!

Months later I noticed he had trouble with his back leg. X-rays were taken, and we found that he has bone fragments that are sticking into his knee!

He was estimated to be around 12 months old - just a baby - but he already had terrible arthritis in both knees! We immediately started him on pain meds, adequan injections, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and joint diet food.

The determination is that this is a result of a traumatic incident. Jasper was very weary of humans (especially men) from the start; eye contact, brooms, any excessive hand motions… all sent him into a tizzy. Since we don’t know his actual history, we are left to surmise his childhood wasn’t warm and fuzzy.

Jasper has come a long way over the past year, and he loves his girl more than anything in the world. He protects me and Em, and he loves being part of our pack (he even protects “his” chickens!). Jasper loves to play fetch but he can’t run for too long anymore. He is truly a gentle giant.

The plan:

It is so important that he get an MRI done, followed by surgery to remove the bone fragments.

The surgeon also prepared us for a possible TPLO surgery to repair any ligament tears. Surgery + the MRI is estimated at $8,000.

I can’t afford the surgery, but I can’t afford not to try to reach out. Please please find it in your heart to help us help Jasper. He has been through enough, and he deserves a second chance.

My fiancé is currently on a deployment, and is worried about us and Jasper. We are trying to get our boy healthy and healed before his dad comes back….

If you can’t help with a donation towards his care, please say a prayer for Jasper.