Koen the Search Dog Needs your HELP

Ariel and Koen's plea: 
Ariel and Koen are needing assistance with the increasing medical bills. 

Background Story:
My name is Sonja Hultsman, the Vice-President of North Oregon Regional Search and Rescue (NORSAR), I am starting this campaign with approval from my dear friend Ariel Salzman, one of our founding members of our organization.  We are asking for the communities support in helping with growing medical bills.  Koen a German Shepherd K9, owned by Ariel Salzman is a certified Search and Rescue K9, will be getting one of his legs amputated on Monday 02/13/2017. This is potentially career ending for Koen, but I don't want to speak for our other members but I want to stay optimistic and hope that he will still be able to assist NORSAR in some capacity.  Both Ariel and Koen have a heart of gold, and have supported the community with looking for lost/missing persons, including successfully locating missing people, but now they are needing the communities’ support, as Koen's vet bills are adding up.  

Below is a timeline of what has transpired since January.
Koen was recently seen at his vet for intermittent limping that Ariel attributed to orthopedic issues.
01/20/17, Ariel found out need to rule out osteo sarcoma-a frightening thought!
01/27/17, an MRI was done that was inconclusive, but did show an abnormal thickening of the right shoulder joint capsule. The radiologist said it is unlike anything she had ever seen. It could be early stage synovial sarcoma (cancer of the joint) or a very rare orthopedic condition. Koen underwent a joint tap and needle aspirate to determine what exactly they were dealing with.
1/31/17, Cytology results revealed abnormal cells, most likely synovial sarcoma. Amputation is recommended and will occur on Monday 02/13/2017.

Due to the pending amputation, the future for Koen to return to active duty for Search and Rescue is unknown.

We are all devastated, as this is impacting the Search and Rescue community. Dogs are a valuable asset in assisting with missions looking for lost/missing persons.

Your support is needed ASAP! 

www.norsar911.org