Community comes together to help vet’s best friend
NORWICH – Thanks to the concerted efforts of Pet Street Station Animal Hospital and the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), the life of a treasured friend was saved last December.
After three tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, Army Sgt. Joyce Gibbons returned to an empty home. All that remained of her previous life was her closest friend, a Jack Russell named Squeakers.
“No matter how I felt or what was going on, he always made me smile,” she said.
On Dec. 3, Squeakers was admitted to Pet Street Station, severely dehydrated and unresponsive.
“The chance of not having him in my life gave me the worst feeling I have ever had,” said Gibbons. I’ve been in fire fights in multiple third world countries while deployed, I’ve been bombed, and blown up. But this had me more scared than what was going on there.”
Barely able to left his head, Squeakers was suffering from an obstruction in his intestines and was in need of emergency surgery.
“We took one look at the dog, recognized that he was her touchstone, and knew we had to do something to help,” said Robyn King of Pet Street. King was able to offset a portion of the surgery’s cost with the hospital’s Helping Pets Fund. Knowing Gibbons was a veteran, it occurred to King to get in touch with Alex “Lex” Danyluk Jr., and the PGR for the rest of the necessary funds.
Danyluk in turn contacted the Help On The Homefront program out of Albany, asking for help. The state HOTH board voted to cover not just the difference, but the entire expense of the surgery. The Sherburne Wheelers ATV Club also offered to donate a sizeable contribution.
During the surgery, a portion of Squeakers’ intestine had to be removed to free the him of the life-threatening obstruction. But in the ensuing months, Squeakers has made a full recovery, reverting to his beloved and lively state of being.
“It was our Christmas miracle,” said King.
Since the success of the surgery, Gibbons has joined both the PGR and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2782 in Norwich.
“This has all been a part of finding a whole new family and home,” said Gibbons. “This experience has really restored my faith in humanity.”
After three tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, Army Sgt. Joyce Gibbons returned to an empty home. All that remained of her previous life was her closest friend, a Jack Russell named Squeakers.
“No matter how I felt or what was going on, he always made me smile,” she said.
On Dec. 3, Squeakers was admitted to Pet Street Station, severely dehydrated and unresponsive.
“The chance of not having him in my life gave me the worst feeling I have ever had,” said Gibbons. I’ve been in fire fights in multiple third world countries while deployed, I’ve been bombed, and blown up. But this had me more scared than what was going on there.”
Barely able to left his head, Squeakers was suffering from an obstruction in his intestines and was in need of emergency surgery.
“We took one look at the dog, recognized that he was her touchstone, and knew we had to do something to help,” said Robyn King of Pet Street. King was able to offset a portion of the surgery’s cost with the hospital’s Helping Pets Fund. Knowing Gibbons was a veteran, it occurred to King to get in touch with Alex “Lex” Danyluk Jr., and the PGR for the rest of the necessary funds.
Danyluk in turn contacted the Help On The Homefront program out of Albany, asking for help. The state HOTH board voted to cover not just the difference, but the entire expense of the surgery. The Sherburne Wheelers ATV Club also offered to donate a sizeable contribution.
During the surgery, a portion of Squeakers’ intestine had to be removed to free the him of the life-threatening obstruction. But in the ensuing months, Squeakers has made a full recovery, reverting to his beloved and lively state of being.
“It was our Christmas miracle,” said King.
Since the success of the surgery, Gibbons has joined both the PGR and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2782 in Norwich.
“This has all been a part of finding a whole new family and home,” said Gibbons. “This experience has really restored my faith in humanity.”
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