Vets install pacemaker in search-and-rescue dog

After years of helping authorities look for murder victims and survivors of natural disasters, a search-and-rescue dog named Molly has been rescued herself.

Surgeons at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday installed a pacemaker in the 5-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever's heart. She needed the surgery after being diagnosed with a complete electrical heart blockage.

Owners Allen and Alicia Brown of Saginaw were overwhelmed with offers to help pay the more than $2,500 in surgery, vet and travel costs after The Joplin Globe reported on Molly's need for the pacemaker.

Medical technology company Medtronic Inc. donated the device, and a Kansas businessman offered to anonymously pay up to $2,000 of the cost.

"It surprises me greatly," Allen Brown said. "There's just been such an outpouring of public support for her."

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3 Responses to “Vets install pacemaker in search-and-rescue dog”

1. Dan Fanning says:

   September 15, 2008 at 1:58 am

   I am honored that you used my dog, Bear’s picture in your website. He is however, not a candidate for a pacemaker nor female. He is an honored veteran of our team who retired in January of this year. Please credit Larimer County Search and Rescue Team and Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado if you want to use his picture.

   Dan Fanning
   bearspop@comcast.net
   Coordinator, Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado
   Larimer County Search and Rescue Team

   Reply
2. Dan Fanning says:

   October 28, 2008 at 11:31 pm

   thanks for putting my dog's picture on your website.  His name is Bear and he is now a retired trailing dog with Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado and Larimer County Search and Rescue.  I realize you needed a chocolate lab for your article and found his picture on LCSAR's website.  He is truly a great dog with several finds to his credit.  It would not work to credit him as your subject dog was a female.  I just wanted you to know who he is and how proud of him I am.  Dan Fanningbearspop@comcast.net

   Reply
3. mjschindler says:

   October 29, 2008 at 2:39 pm

   Hey Dan,

   I thought I had already replied to you, apologizing for associating
   the image of your dog with an unrelated story, but today when I looked
   I couldn't find the comment. I guess I didn't post it properly. I
   apologize for the mix-up.

   Thank you for letting me know about your dog. He sounds amazing.
   But would you like me to change the picture?

   Again, I apologize for the confusion on my part. Let me know if I can
   do anything for you.

   Reply