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“We do everything the pet needs,” says Dr Brianna Armstrong, Medical Director of Firehouse183. “It’s an incredible opportunity to provide healthcare with an underserved community.”
That’s why all 7 Firehouse Animal Health Centers locations is supporting the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for Caring program for the 8th year in 2024. We hold this campaign close to our hearts because we can help local families and their pets during a moment of intense difficulty.
Firehouse, the only veterinarian in the program, donates free medical care to the pets of beneficiaries. Twelve families are chosen each year. And if they have a pet, we’re here to help no matter the needs. We know pets are an essential emotional support for many families. They can offer comfort and nonjudgmental friendship during challenging times.
In 2020, we helped save a 6-month-old dog named Skylo. He had eaten plastic items that someone left on the family’s patio and they were stuck in his internal organs. He was “gagging and choking,” said dog mom, Renee.
Renee told the Stateman she adopted Skylo to help her 2-year-old son with Down Syndrome become more active. It worked: Skylo helped him move more and engage with others. Skylo also let Renee know if her 4-year-old autistic son, known for wandering, approached the front door.
Firehouse did surgery to remove the plastic pieces from Skylo’s intestines. Plus, he got an ear cleaning for good measure. 😊
Without the surgery Skylo “would have died,” Renee told the Statesman.
Photo Credit: Stephen Spillman for the Austin American-Statesman.
Other visits result in less critical diagnoses. For example, in 2023, we helped 15-year-old Chili and 4-year-old Chulita (both chihuahuas) with everyday issues to keep them well.
Both pups were behind in their vaccinations. We worked with the family to develop a plan to get them back on track.
Plus, Chili was suffering from sore joints, a common ailment for pets (both cats and dogs) in their senior years. We gave him an injection to relieve his arthritis. Chili was also scratching his legs, which allergy medications could relieve.
Feisty Chulita was nervous at the appointment’s start. Our team calmed her down with gentle touches, treats, and space to warm up. “After some growling and threats to bite, Chili settled into veterinary technician Maddy Ramirez’s arms as her blood was drawn,” wrote the Statesman. Firehouse helped Chulita with an essential rabies vaccination, heartworm/flea/tick preventives and a spay surgery.
Pet parents Charles and Nicole Richard were relieved when they left Firehouse. Charles had stage 4 lung cancer and there was little time for pet care. Firehouse was happy to relieve the burden for this family.
We were deeply saddened to learn that Charles lost his battle with lung cancer in February, just a few months after we met him. We hope we were able to relieve the burden of pet care for him and Nicole during such a traumatic time.
Photo Credit: Jay Janner for the Austin American-Statesman.
After supporting the campaign for nearly a decade, we’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference it makes. Working alongside the Statesman lets us extend our care and compassion to the Central Texas community.
Giving back to Austin pets is at the heart of who we are at Firehouse Animal Health Centers. Our impact is in lives changed. Since 2012, we have proudly contributed over $1.6 million to Central Texas animal nonprofits and community events. This translates to thousands of cats and dogs benefiting from free medical care. For shelter pets, a full bill of health ensures they’re adoptable and healthy enough to thrive in their forever home.
We are natural caregivers — full of compassion and heart. We chose this profession to help pets thrive. We go above and beyond for you, our clients. And your pets.
“There are so many cats and dogs who can have a better life if they’re healthy enough to be adopted. And there are so many people who can have a better life if they have the support of a healthy, loving pet,” Davila said in 2020.