Urgent Care for a Beloved Service Dog

Victor is a 6 1/2 year old Standard Poodle. Since about the age of 1, Victor was a working service dog, helping me manage my chronic health conditions, including POTS, chronic migraines and vertigo. Victor would alert to each of these and give me time to react, whether that was simply sitting to slow my heart rate or taking medication to stop an episode.

On April 2nd, 2023, Victor and I were struck as pedestrians by a distracted driver while crossing the road. The driver left the scene before eventually coming back. He has been denying to his insurance striking us and we are still working on getting a settlement.

Since that day, Victor has received care for an injury to his left hind leg and his spine, being diagnosed with LS Stenosis. He has received physical therapy and oral medication for an extended period of time. The prednisone is no longer helping. He is unwilling to do any of the physical therapy and struggling to walk. He’s having difficulty holding his bladder and does not want to walk outside to potty anymore.

As a last ditch effort, his vet wants to do an epidural injection of steroids into the area of the spine they believe to be the most impacted. If this does not help, sadly, we will be moving on to end of life care.

Victor is not yet 7. He should have another 7 years ahead of him. Instead, we’re hoping this injection gives him just a little more time.

After over a year of constant high vet bills and a life or death emergency for my service dog prospect puppy, Felix, on August 14th, I am asking for help covering this bill. This is simply to cover this one bill. It allows me to breathe just a little bit as I navigate this time.

Victor is no longer able to work, nor would I ask him to. My goal was to have him live out the remaining years of his life as a beloved pet. I just want as much time with him as possible. Victor is my heart dog. He is my son. He saved my life and has allowed me to live a normal life and have a fruitful job. I just want to repay the favor and give him the best life possible, which he is sadly not living right now. I’m asking for help to save my best friend and beloved family member.