Skip NavigationSkip to Primary Content

Giving back to the community one paw at a time

Pet owner Brandi with dog surrounded by trees

Animal lovers, especially pet owners, understand all too well that having four legged friends around the house can be a blessing. Though when it comes to pet health and emergency situations, animal parents, just want good care for their fur babies no matter the cost. That’s why Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Wichita (VESHW) created Paw It Forward, a non-profit charitable fund, for the purpose of providing financial assistance to in-hospital patients. Established in 2015, the Paw It Forward Foundation has granted over $50,000 toward veterinary care for pets in crisis.

Which is why pet owners, like Brandi, and her 7-month-old husky were so grateful when they came to VESHW last month after an accident at home.

Jax, a friendly blue eyed husky, came to the VESHW emergency hospital in pain and in need of immediate care. Jax’s “mom” knew right away that her pup had suffered a serious injury to his front leg. Jax got caught in a bed frame while running around the house with the other family dog.

“He [Jax] was scared and crying,” said Brandi. “I had to talk to him and calm him down so I could pull his leg out without damaging or hurting him further. It was so scary and sad for all of us. I immediately called the emergency veterinary hospital and took him in.”

Jax was x-rayed that night and confirmed that he suffered a fracture of his left radius/ulna. Doctors at VESHW said that Jax would need surgery under general anesthesia to secure the fracture using a locking plate and that he would have to wear a cast for 4-6 weeks while the bones set in place and healed. Brandi knew what she had to do no matter the monetary cost.

“They [staff and doctors at VESHW] were caring, understanding and patient,” said Brandi. “The surgeon was especially amazing. She explained the procedure and what could happen without the procedure. She was very considerate and recognized my fears and reassured me that Jax’s outcome would be positive.”

And positive it was. Jax is not only in full recovery, taking it slow and following postoperative care, but because of Paw It Forward his emergency and medical bills were made affordable. While Jax is taking it easy his “mom” is grateful for the care he received and the help that she received in making sure he would be able to walk and play again.

“Being a single mom, raising 3 kids and 2 fur babies I was really stressing on how I would be able to pay for the surgery that had to be done,” said Brandi. “I couldn’t just walk away from Jax and not get him the appropriate care he needed. I am so thankful for the Paw It Forward Foundation for stepping in and helping me with Jax’s care.”

Hospital Director, Brock Lofgreen, DVM, believes that nobody should lose their best friend because of financial hardship.

100 percent of every dollar donated to the Paw It Forward Foundation is used to treat sick or injured animals. Paw It Forward donated funds are available to patients being treated at VESHW and are used solely toward funding for Good Samaritan cases, assistance for pet owners in demonstrated financial crisis and/or funding for pets harmed or displaced due to local disasters.

The Paw It Forward Foundation relies solely on donations to help those in need. If you would like to make a donation you can by visiting the hospital website, www.vetwichita.com. Or you can help in other ways; consider corporate sponsorship, volunteering for an event, or setting up a memorial fund. You can also spread the joy by hosting a birthday fundraiser. To find out more about all of these ways you can help, please reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our Facebook Page @vetwichita.