(Contributed photo)
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — A sick puppy was treated back to health thanks to the Monterey Bay Dog Training Club’s “Gifts from the Heart” project.
For the past 12 years around Valentine’s Day, the Monterey Bay Dog Training Club has made a monetary donation to a local veterinarian clinic on behalf of a recipient/pet owner for the “Gifts from the Heart” project.
The donation came from holiday photos taken in November and goes directly to the project. The project was started by Marilyn Runyan, a long-time member and continues today in her memory.
This year, the Pacific Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Services in Capitola had a very sick dog come through the doors with canine parvovirus, a treatable, lengthy, but expensive service. The owners relinquished the puppy to Sarah Weagle, a nurse with Pacific Veterinary who took on the care for the sick pup and the financial burden. It was her intent that when the puppy was healthy, she would find a forever home for it.
She didn’t have to wait long as Amanda White, who also works at the clinic, fell in love with the pup, adopted it and named it Jean.
Jean is the recipient of the 2018 Gifts from the Heart project.
The nonprofit club has been part of the community for 52 years, offering dog obedience training classes at two locations in the Santa Cruz and Watsonville areas. Philanthropy projects include a yearly scholarship at the UC Davis School of Veterinarian Medicine, the Morris Animal Foundation, and funds for many rescue organizations for emergencies.
The Monterey Dog Club is always looking for new involved dog owners who want to participate in responsible, professional dog training. For information, visit montereybaydog.org.
