Giving back to giving pets

13 Oct 2020

Owners and dogsAdopted greyhounds Tommy and Tess are companion animal ChangeMakers, not only making a difference in the lives of their adopting family, but also for other companion animals in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. 

For UQ VETS intern, Dr Edward Di Rago, and 5th-year Vet Student, Pippa Henderson, adopting a pet was a way to give a better life to an animal in need.

Tommy’s new life started in 2016 when he was adopted through the Clinical Studies Centre (CSC) after Henderson was introduced to him during her first year handling exams.

"It was just by random that I meet Tommy during my exam," Ms Henderson said.

"He was really friendly and really funny. Originally we had been enquiring about another dog at the CSC but after meeting Tommy he ended up being the one."

Only six months after Tommy joined the family, Tess was adopted.

"I found Tess online at another rescue - during the foster trial we just knew she belonged with us," Ms Henderson said.  

"Pippa and I knew we wanted to adopt a pet while we were studying, but personally I don’t think I could have gotten through vet school without Tommy and Tess," Dr Di Rago said.

"The literature even backs it up, having a pet lowers your blood pressure and reduces anxiety – they have just been great companions and we owe them a lot."

As a way of paying it forward, Dr Di Rago and Henderson signed Tommy and Tess up to the UQ VETS Community Blood Donor Program.

Dogs"Initially, I was worried it might hurt them but the team really put my mind at ease," Ms Henderson said.

"They make sure the dogs are appropriate for the program and I got to see how the donations are taken in a stress-free way. One of the greatest things is they give back to other dogs that really need it for medical treatment."

"Earlier this year there was a dog that came in with rat bait poisoning and was bleeding profusely," Dr Di Rago said.

"But, because Tess was part of the donor program, we brought her straight in and the team were able to do a fresh transfusion. Rather than storing the blood we were able to put it straight into the other dog who later recovered and went home. It was really nice to see firsthand the difference they make to other patients."

Despite any stresses or financial challenges - helping animals is at the core of anyone who takes on study in the veterinary profession.      

"Tommy and Tess have been great to have around and have also been the perfect reminder to us as to why we did vet. I definitely think the course has ups and downs but they were very good at reminding us why we do it," Ms Henderson said. 

To support companions animals like Tommy and Tess please consider donation to the School of Veterinary Science’s Research to Improve Health and Welfare of Companion Animal Fund.

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