On-Call Angels Make A Happy Tail for Quinn the Service Dog
September 12th, 2023
By Savannah Verdon, Development and Engagement Coordinator II
In just two years, handsome four-year-old golden retriever Quinn has completely transformed Megan’s life. He has become vital for her physical and emotional wellbeing as her epilepsy service dog. This is how she describes their special relationship:
“I don’t consider myself disabled because of him. This dog has given me my independence and my life back. He is everything. There are no other words.”
Quinn was playing fetch with the neighbor’s dogs, having an absolute blast as he outran them all. Suddenly, when Megan threw the ball for Quinn, she was surprised to see he was not the first one to get to it. He came hobbling back to her reluctantly, and that’s when she noticed his swollen wrist.
Playtime was over. She took him inside to ice his wrist and realized it was not general swelling but a mass slightly above the joint. Fortunately, he already had an appointment to see his veterinarian later that day for updated vaccinations. Megan was able to start Quinn on two weeks’ worth of pain medication, during which she babied him like the sweet boy he is – but the swelling had not gone down after those two weeks. Their veterinarian then referred them to a specialist who did bloodwork, took X-rays, and a surgery consultation at the hospital. They even considered aspirating the mass, but given its location, that would not likely prove beneficial. Megan left the hospital with Quinn knowing that he would need surgery and a biopsy to get past this.
It would not be an emergency if Quinn were just Megan’s pet. She would have more time to budget and save for his surgery. But as her service dog, and without knowing if the mass was malignant, losing him could take away the independent life she had grown accustomed to. She needed to know if he would still be able to perform his duties, and if not, she needed to figure out her medical options until she could find and form a bond with another trained service dog. The added layer of stress and uncertainty made it so much harder for Megan to balance the initial vet and specialist bills, her own hospital bills, and the cost of his upcoming surgery. She needed help for the both of them.
She didn’t know when she applied for a RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant that our generous On-Call Angels were waiting in the wings to make a second chance possible for Quinn. Megan’s grant application was approved in just a day because someone with a compassionate and generous heart was there in her and Quinn’s moment of need. One month after that fateful playdate, Quinn headed in for surgery.
Megan waited anxiously for him to come out of surgery, and later for the results of his biopsy. Not only had the surgery been a success, but the mass was benign! He would need time to rest and recover before he was back on duty, but the crisis was behind them, and Megan could not have been happier:
“It appears we are turning the corner! He had a few setbacks and proved to be the master of getting out of all his cones and chewing through any type of bandage! Fingers crossed, a few more days and then he can have full freedom back. Currently, he isn’t doing much aside from banging into the walls with his extra large cones, but he may be one of the only dogs I’ve known to find a way to play ball while wearing the cones. He is a determined fella and loves nothing more than playing ball!
“I wish I had words to express the relief that RedRover provided. The grant was a game-changer that gave me just a little bit of breathing room and made a very stressful situation slightly less stressful. The vet that I have trusted with his care since day one did the surgery, and being with someone who knows us and knows Quinn so well was priceless. It helped my heart rest (a little) easier while I was waiting for him to get out of surgery.
“While Quinn will likely develop arthritis down the line that will cause an early retirement from his service work, I’m eagerly awaiting having him back by my side once he recovers. Thank you again.”
Keeping pets and families together through crisis means protecting all families, including those with working dogs like Quinn. We are so grateful for opportunities to give families like Megan and Quinn hope and a second chance in their moment of need – and we couldn’t do it without our On-Call Angels and kindhearted people like you! Thank you from all of us at RedRover!
