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Education · Support · Rescue · Shelter · Wheelchair Assistance |
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National Capital Area CFC Number 71315
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Pets
with Disabilities - the
making of the organization offering a voice for disabled pets

Ten
years ago, Mike and I went down to our local rescue to adopt a new member
of the family. We saw this vibrant young shepherd mix, and knew he
was the one to join us. We brought him home and promptly named him
Duke.
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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
their permanent home
The Sanctuary Pets
These dogs and cats have been rescued and adopted by us. Several had been rehomed and returned to the shelter, others were just unwanted
due to their disability. We have made the decision that this will be their last stop. We we will care for these dogs
and cats for the remainder of their lives. We welcome your support.
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Duke
1998-2010
(co-founder
PWD)
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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Thank you Jennifer Nagel
for being Maddie's angel!
Thank you Machelle
Louderback
for being an angel to Maddie
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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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Thank you Kelly Rende for being Huey's angel! |
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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
for being
an angel to MAX!!
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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
Mid Atlantic Samoyed Rescue,
and Calvin Joseph
for their continued support for Ernie's care and support. 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
for being an angel to Ernie |
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Casey's Christmas came early in 2007. Pets with Disabilities along with the help of the
Calvert Humane Society, rescued
Casey from our local animal shelter on the day scheduled to be her last. Casey, an eight-year-old , 3 legged Chocolate Lab
lost her back leg probably from a car accident. She truly is a survivor and captured our hearts immediately. It is truly
amazing how she has fit into our rescue like she had been living with us her entire life. She gets along with other dogs and
cats and loves all people.
Please remember to adopt from your local shelter or rescue group. Lots of dogs like Casey need
homes! |
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Thank
you to Jessie Forsberg for her continued support for Casey's care and
support. Thanks
to Lynn and Larry Adelsohn for being an
Angel to Casey! |


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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 -
at least we hope.
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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Thank you Kathleen Comstock for being
Zelda's angel |
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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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Marley is a senior Spitz, whose demands are few: food, a warm bed, a couple of long strolls around the yard and love.
Marley was rescued from the Trenton, New Jersey animal shelter, after the vet was convinced not to euthanize him. He
was dirty, his hair was matted, he is partially blind and deaf, and had been a victim of a dog attack. But with all
of his bad luck and trauma, he is the nicest and kindest dog anyone could ever encounter. He has blossomed into a
beautiful dog here at PWD. Marley goes with the flow and he gets along with all living creatures.
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Thank
you to Karen Quigley for being
Marley's Angel
Marley's Angel, Sean
Douglass,
thank you!
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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.
Here
is a video link showing his arrival in Dulles |
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Tuzik's
Angel - John and Bonnie Yurga
Thank
you Candace Trogolo for being an angel to
Tuzik
Thank
you Kristine
Colby for being an angel to
Tuzik
Tuzik's
Angel, Edie
Freund ,
Thank you!!
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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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SUPPLIES
WE USE AT PETS WITH DISABILITIES |
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The dogs at PWD are fed:
Chicken Soup Kibble and Chicken Soup Can dog food

You can contact our local distributor, place an order
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and we'll pick it up in our weekly trip to them
Hatchers
Feed & Farm Supply
Huntingtown,
MD 20639
410-257-1660 |
We
could also use:
Old Mother Hubbard Biscuits

Paper Towels
Odoban
Detergent
Bleach
Clorox Clean up wipes
Gift Cards to Office Depot (computer inc)
Paper
Envelopes (legal SizeZ)
Packing envelopes
TOYS - tough chew (jolly balls, balls on ropes, interactive - no stuffed
toys please) |
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additional supplies needed:
Liquid Soap - Vet Wrap - Neosporin - Sponges ( with brillo back) - Gift
cards to home depot - Laundry Detergent - Meow Mix (Indoor formula) -
Friskies Can - Bounce Sheets - Trash Bags |
OR - please call one of our
favorite suppliers
Mary
Beth Gates
Pepper's Pet Pantry
13858 Solomons Island Rd
PO
Box1060
Solomons, MD 20688
(410) 326-4006
pepperspetpantry@yahoo.com
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.
Contact your tax adviser.
Thank you.
Pets with Disabilities is an officially recognized Maryland Non-Profit Organization.
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Rescue Magnet, Design M3
$6.00 including shipping
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Adopt Pets with Disabilities Ribbon Magnet, Design M4
$6.00 including shipping
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Spay and Neuter Magnet, Design M5
$6.00 including shipping
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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.
©2006 - 2008 Pets with Disabilities, Inc. All rights reserved.
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