Help Senior and Handicapped Dogs
By Kelli Banet, Best Friends Network VolunteerSARAH Rescue Sanctuary (Shelter Alliance and Resources for Animals with Handicaps) can be found on a quiet, tree lined street in Stratford. Inside lies a haven for senior and handicapped dogs.
SARAH was founded by Nancy Cummings in 1999. Nancy fell in love with and adopted a Beagle named Luca from Bridgeport Animal Control. Within a short time, she discovered that Luca had a range of health problems, including epilepsy. Nancy worked tirelessly to make Luca comfortable and happy, employing traditional and homeopathic veterinary medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, and special diets and tonics. Luca’s needs inspired Nancy to start a
website leading people to information about alternative veterinary treatments. While putting the website together, she discovered that there were many, many elderly and handicapped animals in need of sanctuary and treatment. Nancy began to sanctuary animals in her home, and SARAH was born.
A recent visit to the sanctuary revealed many healthy, happy wagging tails. All sanctuary dogs are treated to a raw food diet, with supplements supplied according to individual needs. The dogs live as Nancy’s companions, and enjoy time in the fenced yard in groups.
SARAH’s current fundraising effort is to provide care for Fred, a tiny blind Chihuahua born with hydrocephalus. Fred recently had an MRI to confirm his condition, and a cyst was also discovered. Fred is in need of surgery to place a shunt in his head. The shunt will drain the fluid from his brain into his stomach, where it can be absorbed. This procedure will relieve some of Fred’s pressure and discomfort, and prevent debilitating seizures.
There are many other canine friends at the rescue who could use support. Jude came to SARAH from West Virginia, barely able to move his hind end. Initially it was thought that he had been hit by a car. X-rays revealed that Jude had been shot, and his spinal cord was nearly severed. Surgery was performed to remove the bullets still lodged inside him. Jude currently receives acupuncture, chiropractic, prolotherapy, and hydrotherapy services. With Nancy’s TLC, Jude has thrived, now zooming around the sanctuary with the aid of his wheelchair. He is now able to stand on his own and even take a few steps.
SARAH is a non-profit, and all of the wonderful traditional and alternative therapies come at a cost. Nancy raises funds for the animals’ care by holding tag sales and bake sales, selling t-shirts, holding raffles, and through online donations.
How you can help:Attend a fundraising tag sale. The next tag sale will be held on
Sunday, August 3rd, from 10:00 to 3:00. The sanctuary is located at
473 Woodlawn Avenue in Stratford. There are always many brand new items to choose from, as well as t-shirts and sanctuary merchandise.
Sponsor a sanctuary dog. Click
here to view some of the dogs available for sponsorship, including Fred and Jude.
Donate via
PayPal. Donations will fund care and treatment of the animals at the sanctuary.
Posted By: Kelli BanetPhoto Credits: Nancy Cummings