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| Education · Support · Rescue · Shelter · Wheelchair Assistance | |
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National Capital Area CFC Number 71315 |
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Duke was a wonderful, typical puppy who added lots of excitement and joy to our home. We had no idea he was about to change our lives forever. 2 months after adopting Duke, he was playing with another puppy and had a tragic accident, severing his spinal cord. At 6 months old our vibrant young rescue dog was in a wheelchair. Well guess what, Duke was still vibrant and young - he just had special needs. When we adopted Duke and took him home it was a commitment, thru sickness and health until death do us part – he was a member of our family. So many people forget that adopting a dog is a commitment, and once their dog gets ill or sick they still need to commit to caring for them. A few months later we heard about another pup named Misty, living in a NY shelter for over 5 years. Nobody wanted Misty because she had hind leg problems. Hundreds and Hundreds of people passed her cage, not even giving her a chance. We went to NY and adopted her immediately. For years Misty became quite a “spokes-dog” for her cause. People started looking at her, seeing the life in her eyes, and the heart she wanted to share and commented on what a wonderful dog she was, and “How could she had been in a shelter so long?”. |
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After loving our wheelchair dog Duke, and seeing the impact Misty had on people, and realizing there was no support system or education available for people dealing with disabled pets, Pets with Disabilities was incorporated to be that support system for these animals with no voice. For 8 years, while Mike and I both had full time jobs…. We traveled to events and expos’ to speak on behalf of these wonderful spirits, we set-up a website to post animals needing help, at one point we had 12 disabled animals living in our home – and due to the constant need and 100’s of requests for help, we decided to expand our efforts and build our rescue barn, in order to help more dogs. Last year I made a huge decision to close my small business and volunteer FULL time on behalf of the disabled animals. |
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With the expansion of the rescue, I committed myself totally to the helping these dogs in need. Many people that visit our website, think we are a huge organization, when in fact, I am a one person show. I take no salary for my hours and hours of work, and have no paid help and a small core group of volunteers. This is a labor of love. Pets with Disabilities is a rescue, not a dumping ground for people's dogs who have become incontinent. Guardians/ Owners, shame on you for not being there when your dog gets hurt. When you adopt a dog, it is a commitment; changing your life for a dog you love is what being a human is all about. Rescue groups who have taken in a wheelchair dog. Thank you!! Our rescue can’t take them all, it is physically and financially impossible. We help as many as we can. Please realize it will take time and patience to get these dogs adopted. But they deserve to live and given that second chance at finding a new home. That is what rescue work is all about. Donations are down, but we continue to help as many dogs as we can. Unfortunately money does not grow on trees. We have created a safe and wonderful environment for these dogs in need. They flourish here, and adoptions and miracles are happening here everyday. I have met the most wonderful folks who have adopted our dogs, amazing and incredible people who just "got it". They understand these dogs are different but can still be an incredible part of the family and they have. Cheers to you guys and thank you. I only wish there were more people on earth like you. Joyce |
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The
wonderful spirits that make Pets
with Disabilities
The Sanctuary Pets |
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Duke
1998-2010 We will miss you Duke! See our Newsletter/Tribute to our Friend Duke, the founding dog of Pets with Disabilities, broke his back, while puppy playing. Euthanasia was not an option, so we elected to get Duke a wheelchair and to give him a job to help other dogs and cats find homes that are disabled. He has become a great "spokes-dog" for his cause! |
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MISTY (1995-2008) (co-founder PWD) Misty crossed the rainbow bridge in the fall of 2008, and will be missed my many - Please contribute to the Duke & Misty Memorial Fund - supporting the rescue of wheel chair dogs and dogs with back leg problems. Misty was born with no hip sockets. As a puppy she was rescued from the streets of Harrison, NY. Misty was the shelter mutt for over five years at the Westchester County Humane Society. She finally found her forever home with Pets with Disabilities. |
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Maddie, a spunky little mutt, was hit by a car, and
suffered a broken spinal cord. Due to Maddie's disability she was
relinquished to the St. Francis Society Animal Rescue.
Pets with Disabilities adopted Maddie in September 2005. She joins Duke
(with a sassy attitude only a strong female can appreciate!) in helping with our
mission.
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Pets with Disabilities adopted Huey from Glen Highland Farm in December 2005.
Huey, a bright and handsome Border Collie
rescued by our wonderful friends at Glen Highland Farm. After rescuing him,
they soon discovered Huey was deaf. They emailed us a picture and his
story and we became a part of the Glen Highland Farm Family. Since being
with us, Huey has learn many of the most important hand signs, and has
definitely added lots excitement to our PWD family.
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Vinnie was rescued along with his siblings by Mary Kamolowski, a volunteer, for the Pet Assistance League of Oklahoma. Vinnie lost his eye at birth and unfortunately was diagnosed with FIV. Vinnie was rescued again by Pets with Disabilities. As cofounder, Mike Dickerson, was rescuing Oreo, he also packed up Vinnie and drove both of them east. Vinnie will live the remainder of his life at the Pets with Disabilities rescue. |
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Thank you Julie Gadway for being an angel to Vinnie! |
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Kiri's journey started in Maryland and now ends in Maryland at our small but growing Pets with Disabilities rescue. Kiri, a five year old Border Collie was hit by a car. PWD helped find Kiri a new home, in Alberta, Canada. Unfortunately Kiri’s care was too much for her new caretaker. We traveled out to Montana, and with the help of Glen Highland Farm, Kiri was transported across the border to Butte, Montana where we met her, and fell in love with her. Kiri is at home, with her new wheelchairs buddies at PWD. |
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Thank you Ann Peterson for continuing support with Kiri's care Thanks to Taylor Marlowe for being an angel to Kiri |
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Max is a senior mixed breed. He is smart and has a very good temperament but is slowing down with age. He also has a large benign tumor on his side that the vets suggest leaving alone. Max is at home now with the rest of the Pets with Disabilities family Max crossed the rainbow bridge in the January 2010 - at the age of 17 - Max was a true champion of courage. He is missed. |
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Thank
you, Bonnie & John Yurga |
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Kitty was rescued by PWD. Kitty has FeLV and a lame leg. He has adjusted well to our dog world. So far Kitty has been healthy and happy! Kitty crossed the rainbow bridge in the spring of 2006 |
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Cassie was rescued by PWD. She is a large long haired Sheppard mix. She is very sweet and a little spaced-out, which may be due to the abusive situation from which she was rescued. She weighs about 100 pounds and may be eight years old. She has arthritis in her back legs which limits her mobility, but she is still ready to take a walk whenever the opportunity arises. Cassie crossed the rainbow bridge in the Spring of 2006 |
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Meet Dixie. Dixie was hit by a car which shattered both her legs and hips. Dixie is the sweetest little terrier. She maintains a calm, "life is good" attitude - being the example for the other dogs. |
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Thank you, Barb and Mike McGinty, great friends of our organization, for continued support for Dixie's care. Thank you Jessica Paige for being Dixie"s angel Carol Mills fell in love with Dixie on the Today Show - and decided to be one of her angels - Thank you |
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An eleventh hour rescue! Ernie a two-year-old Samoyed, was rescued by Pets with Disabilities, two hours before he was to be euthanized. Ernie, tragically hurt himself, and now is no longer able to use his back legs. Ernie spent the last month at Ocean State Animal Hospital, in Rhode Island, hoping for a miracle. Unfortunately for Ernie, that miracle never happened, and his guardians were not in the position to care for a dog with special needs. Pets with Disabilities stepped in on Ernie's behalf and outfitted him with a new wheelchair and he will now live his life with others like him! We are looking for angels for Ernie's continued medical care, please donate to Ernie's cause. Thank you |
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Thank
you to Jeanne Johnson of Thank you Robert Owens for being an angel to Ernie Ernie's angel - thank you Crystal Vignola Thank you Leanne Kelly and Ann Baugher for being angels to Ernie! Thanks
to Jodi-Adelsohn
and Gregg Ruff |
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Farley Update! Farley is now living and being fostered at Reverie
Acres Farm. This farm is run and managed by an extraordinary mother and
daughter team whose love and understanding of animals is truly special. When
we found out Farley was in kidney failure, they wanted to help Farley even
more. For whatever life Farley has in him, Randi and her mom, Peggy, are
certainly giving him the life he absolutely loves. Thanks to them, Farley life
expectancy my exceed all the experts - Below is an email from Peggy on Farley's life where he spends time with meeting a greeting new people and hangs with horses, and a barn cat that has accepted him! "Farley never (or hardly ever) barks, which makes him great around horses, he's not distracted by strange sights (which also makes him great around horses and some people) and he's super friendly and loves to be talked to and petted (which makes him great around humans). I must say, he's an absolutely perfect dog." We are so happy for Farley that we found Peggy and Randi, who opened up their hearts to a great dog that might not have too much time on this earth. This what makes rescue worth while meeting folks like them. PWD is still responsible for Farley's vet care and special diet. Farley, a blind 2 year old St Bernard. Farley was rescued by a kind couple from a West Virginia pound. Farley was extremely underweight when rescued, back in October he weighed only 40 pounds. Since coming into rescue he has blossomed to about 80 pounds; which still makes him a fairly small St Bernard. When Farley arrive at PWD we noticed he was drinking water in excess. He has been under extreme vet care since January. He was treated for a very bad bladder infection hoping this was the cause of his water drinking. We are in the process of ruling out other serious diseases, such as diabetes, Addison's and cushions. The water drinking could all be stemming from his lack of food and water the first year of his life. Farley is a wonderful dog and navigates his way around the rescue thru touch and smell. He has a great temperament around all people and dogs. 4/09 - Medical Update on Farley: We took Farley to an internist, specializing in kidneys. We unfortunately found out Farley has severe kidney disease. His kidneys are the size of a cats kidneys. Farley's life expectancy will be most likely shorten. We will give him the best care and love here at PWD. Farley, definitely needs some angels to help us help him live as many years as possible. We are looking into special diets and holistic vet care for him. |
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Thank you to Cam Monahan and Melissa Zafirelis for supporting Farley's medical care. Thank you to Lake Shore Family for being an angel to Farley. |
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Sweet Megan. Her big hound smile says it all. Megan is totally blind, and was found wondering in a lumber yard. She was scheduled to be euthanized by a rural county pound in Virginia, until Pets with Disabilities swept in and rescued her. Within minutes of her arrival, she managed to navigate her way around the rescue brilliantly, by her sense of smell and paw touch. We soon discovered Megan has a huge purpose here at the rescue... she has offered to welcome all guests and make new rescue dogs feel at home. (Obviously, we fell in love with this dog, she brings a smile to all that meet her.) She is a great couch cuddler - and is the self proclaimed "mayor" of PWD - happy to greet all visitors - human and canine.... and if you bring a treat, she'll be very grateful! |
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Thank you, to the Conley/Eanet Family for being Megan's angels on behalf of Kevin Conley |
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Meet Zelda. She is a Rottie mix. Zelda was scheduled to be euthanized at the SPCA in Philadelphia when Pets with Disabilities swept in and rescued her. Zelda has had hip problems since she was a puppy. On top of her hip issues she also injured her legs a couple times, that healed without treatment. Despite Zelda's disability she gets along wonderfully; she has her moments of excitement with the other rescue dogs, and then she settles in quietly on her favorite bed for the remainder of the day. She knows her limitations; and with weight management and daily tablets of Glucosamine, she does quite well.
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Freddie crossed the rainbow bridge in the March of 2010 Freddie, a young cat, was brought to our local vets office to be euthanized. He was flee bitten all over, very thin and had FIV. The vet would not do it. They called us to see if we would accept him here. Of course we said yes. Freddie has come along way since being here, he looks great, but best of all he and Vinnie have become great feline friends! |
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Thank you Julie Gadway for being an angel to Freddie | |
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TUZIK (Oct 2009) is a dog that
arrived in the US from St Petersburg, Russia. Tuzik has brought a sense
of "royal majesty" to the rescue. It's hard to explain,
but when you sit with him, you have no pity for him - he really is not
looking for that. He's looking for a companion that respects what he
has to teach - and he, in turn, will provide you with true, unconditional
loyalty and friendship.
Tuzik came with some horrible wounds on one of his back legs requiring an amputation surgery. He's now our only 3-legged wheelchair dog. Tuzik has been living in Joyce's home since his surgery - and we've decided to give him a permanent home here at PWD. His recovery has been slow, he requires weekly visits by our mobile vet , and we feel the extensive monitoring he needs will best be accomplished here. We know Tuzik touched many hearts with his journey - and we continue to need your support to keep him a happy healthy member of the PWD family. |
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Tuzik's
Angel - John and Bonnie Yurga |
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Be a Pets with Disabilities Angel! All the dogs at Pets with Disabilities, have special needs, otherwise they would not be here. In today's society dogs and cats can no longer get sick, old or physically disabled. Whether they were abandoned, rejected or someone's life changed and they no longer fit in, they are counting on us to help them transition to a new life. They will either stay with us, or they will be rehomed carefully to the right people or families. So if you see a dog in our rescue that tugs out your heart please become his or her angel. Thank You!! For $350 (less then $1/day) - you can matter in the life of a dog - Receive an "angel magnet" of your dog or for just $30/month - sponsor a dog living at PWD or waiting for their forever home. |
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The dogs at PWD are fed: You can contact our local distributor, place an order
- Hatchers
Feed & Farm Supply |
We
could also use: Paper Towels |
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additional supplies needed: |
OR - please call one of our favorite suppliers Mary
Beth Gates Mary Beth will work directly with Joyce to get together an order of holistic needs and supplies |
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Pets with Disabilities is an all volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization dedicated to helping and promoting the adoption of physically disabled animals
into great homes. All donations are tax deductible to the extent permissible by law. Pets with Disabilities is an officially recognized Maryland Non-Profit Organization. |
| Our New Rescue Facility |
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We believe in treating animals the way we would like to be treated. Our new facility might look
like a barn but has all the comforts of a cozy home. My husband and I have worked and thought very
hard to make a difference in the sheltering of our dogs in rescue. We also wanted our volunteers to
enjoy their work. Our new rescue is behind our home and sits before acres of forest. We believe our
facility is one of a kind in our area.
Each apartment is furnished with a sofa, dog beds, lamps, and most important each apartment has a window. We believe light is essential for all living creatures. At night the rescue room is lit by soft blue night lights in each apartment. For the human volunteers and adopters we have a very unique collection of antique lunch boxes bordering the room. The rescue has central air conditioning and heat. There is a TV and or music piped in for the residents in our rescue. Also, no dog runs here at PWD. There are approximately three acres around the barn that are fenced in. |
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Attention international customers. All prices are in US dollars. There is an $8 shipping charge for all orders shipped outside the USA.
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