Brookfield Vets Sponsor Open Doors for Paws cont:
Thank You
Brookfield Vets
Family owned Brookfield Veterinary Surgery is a major sponsor of Open Doors for Paws, giving their love and support towards the need for a refuge to care for homeless animals, especially older pets who need specialised care.
Owned by husband and wife team, Dr. Charlie Eggers BVSc (Hons) and Dr. Cathy Toft BVSc (Hons), the Brookfield practice treats as many as 40 animals per day. Charlie says his favourite thing about being a vet is the ability to treat animals and see the difference their wellness makes to their lives and their families
Dr. Charlie has a very strong interest in small animal surgery and orthopaedic surgery but as he says, give him most surgery cases and he is happy he can make a difference.
Dr. Cathy says all the animals are treated like one of the family by herself, Charlie and the vet team. Cathy herself is a self-declared animal addict and becoming a veterinarian has fulfilled her childhood dream.
She enjoys the variety of work that a general mixed veterinary practitioner is exposed to but does have a particular interest in medicine , emergency and endocrine cases, wounds, reproduction, ophthalmology and equine cases.
Dr. Cathy is truly passionate about her job and the animals she treats and says it’s the same passion she sees in Donna Bailey who established Open Doors for Paws as a not-for-profit registered charity when she saw the need for a refuge to care for homeless animals, especially those getting on in years.
Donna, who already has six dogs in her personal care, said that her main mission was to especially save old dogs from having to be euthanised because their owners could no longer care for them She said old dogs often have the same ailments as many elderly people, such as heart, eye and ear problems, even incontinence, which often need to be treated with medication.
Donna said if the old dogs can realistically be made to be comfortable and enjoy their old age, she will do everything to ensure that they are given the opportunity. In rare cases, animals who cannot be rehabilitated will be cared for through to end of life .
Dr. Cathy said the Brookfield Veterinary practice was very happy to be a sponsor of Open Doors for Paws and would like to see more sponsors coming forward
“Donna already has six old dogs in her personal care and, as the numbers increase, we would also like to see more hands-on volunteers offering to help this very worthy cause.” Dr. Cathy said.
From Rescued to Rehomed - Blaney & Joan cont:
As a retired nurse I know the importance of mental stimulation and maintaining mobility, but I was finding it difficult to "stir" myself to be more active.
One day I mentioned to my dog owner friend Elise, that I really missed my two little dogs and how boring life had become. Within hours she texted me that she had someone for me to meet. She introduced me to Donna, who had this little dog she had been trying to place.
Blaney is 9 years old, a Low Chen, and resembles a slightly smaller version of "Shadow" one of my previous dogs. She had experienced neglect and abuse, and Donna had tried unsuccessfully to place her, but her timidity and inability to adapt had caused Donna to take her back. I was impressed when Donna would not agree to allow me to take her without a trial period to gauge whether I was suitable for Blaney, NOT Blaney suitable for me.
Initially Blaney was too timid to use the "doggie door" to go outside to toilet, so we had episodes of toileting inside, and she had a very poor appetite. However, after a week or so of pretty intensive training, she started to use the "doggie door" and is toileting outside, her appetite has recovered, and she is becoming quite territorial out in the yard, chasing the water dragons which sun themselves on my outdoor furniture and challenging neighbourhood dogs when they pass the house.
I am enjoying the contact with others in my neighbourhood who talk to me when I take her for walks. My mobility has actually improved and I wake up in the morning feeling optimistic and ready for activity. I have lost some weight [which I have been trying to do for ages]. She is becoming a confident and friendly little dog, and she is a very welcome addition to my household. I thank Donna for the privilege of allowing her to become my little dog.
Joan Henry.
Thank You Joan
People
Open Doors for Paws could not operate without the fabulous dedication and support from the people behind the charity.
We give thanks to our Adopters, Board, Volunteers, Fund Raisers, Donators and all the people that give us their love.
