Miracles do happen! When the right resources and the right people join forces, anything can happen.
That is Maddie’s story.
On a cold winter day in March, 2022, an individual was driving along and noticed some movement out of the corner of his eye in a culvert along the side of the road. He stopped and got out of the car to check it out and was shocked by what he found. A dog, now named Maddie, was lying in that culvert unable to move. We can only assume that she was hit by a vehicle and the driver did not stop. Animal control was called and Maddie was taken to the nearest emergency clinic. Since Maddie was considered a stray, the emergency clinic could only treat her for pain. Initial assessments indicated that she was probably lying in that culvert for several days. Maddie was then transported to the Saratoga County Animal Clinic where her miracle truly began.
The staff at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter evaluated Maddie and decided to move forward with further testing to determine the extent of her injuries. Her evaluation indicated that both sides of her pelvis and several smaller bones were broken. These are very serious injuries and would require a great deal of after care, something that could most likely not happen in a shelter. The Saratoga County Animal Shelter knew they could and should save this dog but they needed the support of many people. It is said that some things ‘take a village’ and this was one of them. And so the adventure to save Maddie began. Surgery was performed by Dr. Chloe Wormser at the Northway Emergency Clinic and Maddie was transported to a foster home for healing and rehabilitation. Maddie’s second chance at life had begun. But could this be a success story? And would she have a good quality of life? Only time would answer that question.
Several volunteers at the shelter stepped up for the challenge. Both volunteers and staff members volunteered their time to assist in Maddie’s care rehabilitation. Volunteers were there daily and staff members came to help on their days off. Both volunteers and staff members signed up for various shifts to assist with getting Maddie outside. Keep in mind that she could not walk and had to be lifted with the assistance of a sling. Physical therapy was provided by all to get her muscles massaged and her legs moving.
As Maddie showed more determination to move on her own, more physical therapy was added. The underwater treadmill at the Ballston Spa Veterinary Clinic was her next step. She went through several sessions of therapy to build strength in her muscles since so much muscle tone was lost during her healing.
Maddie’s recovery took almost six months. She lived in one foster home the entire time and her volunteer family continued to visit her during that time. She continued to receive her veterinary care at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter.
I guess you know by now that Maddie’s story was one of success. Surgery and therapy were totally successful and Maddie is thriving in her forever home. Yes her foster mom did adopt her. How could she not! Maddie loves people and other dogs. She is a kind and gentle dog and definitely worth the efforts to save her.
I’m sure you are wondering how the shelter could afford to provide all of these services. Friends of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter provided the funds to allow this dog to survive and thrive. Friends of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter was there every step of the way. This is just one example of how Friends assists the shelter financially. There are many other stories like this one.
Your donations will allow us to help other animals in dire need in the future.
They say it ‘takes a village’. We are all part of that village in some way.