At Freedom Service Dogs, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the 163 puppies and dogs in our care this summer is no small feat. Despite our best efforts to prevent accidents and illness, sometimes unforeseen events occur.

We would like to share with you the story of Nana, a 1-year-old golden retriever in training to become a Freedom Service Dog, who recently faced a harrowing ordeal. Spoiler alert: Nana is OK! We want you to know that before reading on because we would want to know that, too!

On June 18, 2024, Nana and her volunteer puppy raisers excitedly packed their gear and set off for a day of hiking at one of their favorite trails in beautiful Golden, Colorado. Not only was hiking one of their favorite things to do with Nana, but it was also a good way to practice her socialization and basic obedience skills. They had been hiking down the trail with Nana on leash for quite some time when things suddenly took a terrifying turn.

They heard a rattle, and moments later, Nana leapt in the air. Her puppy raiser, who is a retired registered nurse, took immediate action and noticed two puncture wounds in Nana’s foot. They knew that they needed to get her help as fast as possible.

Nana’s raisers struggled to get her back down the trail, as they were unable to carry her for long periods of time. With Nana in dire condition and lapsing into unconsciousness just moments after the bite, every second mattered. Fortunately, they were able to flag down a mountain biker: the only person they had seen on the trail in a long time. This good Samaritan, who had never met Nana or her raisers, dropped his bike riding plans and heroically ran down the trail with Nana in his arms.

Nana was rushed to Golden Paws Animal Hospital where the caring veterinary team were able to administer the antivenin she desperately needed to survive, but she was in critical condition. Because she needed more critical care, Nana was transferred to Evolution Veterinary Specialists (EVS) in Lakewood, Colorado. Not only was she in shock and experiencing anaphylaxis, but she was presenting hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, an acute disorder characterized by vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The incredible team at EVS provided Nana with compassionate care, giving her more injections of antivenin, multiple blood transfusions, GI support, IV fluids, antibiotics, pain medications, anti-nausea meds, and more. Thanks to EVS’s swift and attentive care, Nana was finally able to return home with her raisers after spending four nights and five days in critical care.

Thanks to Nana’s amazing puppy raiser’s quick thinking, the good Samaritan who bravely carried Nana down the trail, the Golden Paws team who stabilized her, and the team at Evolution Veterinary Specialists who provided Nana with life-saving care for multiple days, Nana is still here with us today. Without all the compassionate humans who helped Nana, she may not have otherwise survived.

She has since made a miraculous recovery, and aside from a black puncture mark on her paw, is unscathed and back to her sweet, happy self. Just a few weeks ago, Nana graduated from the puppy raiser program and started her formal training at the FSD facility where she is working on her advanced service dog skills and will hopefully go on to change someone’s life in the near future.

As a nonprofit organization, Freedom Service Dogs depends on the generosity of our community to sustain the wellbeing of the puppies and dogs in our care so that they may graduate as happy, healthy assistance dogs who change lives. In addition to Nana’s unforeseen medical expenses, we have incurred other expected and unexpected medical bills this year that have strained our resources.

Now, we are asking for your support to help offset the cost of Nana’s medical bills, as well as the other pups who have required more extensive veterinary care these last few months. Your contribution today, no matter the amount, comes at a crucial time and ensures our ability to continue providing the highest level of care that Nana and our other Freedom Service Dog trainees need to prepare them to transform lives. To support Nana’s care, please give a gift today that will make a big difference. Make a donation today!

To kick off this campaign, long-time friends of FSD, Dean and Margo Fiala, have made a generous donation of $20,000!

We had the opportunity to thank them for their generosity and their response was, “When we heard about Nana’s story and the other unexpected veterinary expenses FSD incurred this year, we wanted to help. Over the 7 years of supporting FSD and fostering 31 dogs in our home and meeting countless clients who have been partnered with FSD Service Dogs, we have witnessed the transformational power of dogs. We know they make a profound difference for people with disabilities, and that’s why we’ve committed to give $20,000 to jumpstart this campaign so that FSD can ensure puppies and dogs in their care received the highest quality veterinary care possible. We hope our contribution will inspire others to give!”

Please follow in the Fiala’s footsteps by giving today.

Nana’s story also serves as a reminder that, as Coloradans, we coexist with multiple species of rattlesnakes that pose risks to both humans and our furry friends. Here are some tips from our friends at EVS on how to avoid rattlesnake encounters and what to do if your pet gets bitten:

• Maintain a well-kept yard and clear tall grass, woodpiles, and debris to reduce the likelihood of snakes deciding to call your home theirs.
• Keep a close eye on pets when they’re spending time outdoors.
• Keep your pet on a short leash to help prevent them from pursuing a snake or having an unexpected encounter.
• Stay on designated trails and avoid venturing into tall grass, rocky areas, or underbrush where snakes like to hide.
• Stay alert and keep an eye out for snake activity, such as sunning themselves on rocks and the sounds of rattles.
• Avoid trails where people have reported seeing snakes and alert others if you see one.
• Familiarize yourself with first aid and carry a pet-friendly first aid kit.
• If you come into close proximity with a rattlesnake, be sure to give it plenty of space and stay away from the area.
• TIP: The warmer it is, the more likely it is to encounter a snake.

In Nana’s case, her raisers did everything right and there was nothing more that could’ve been done to prevent her from being bitten. With the especially high temperatures we’ve had in Colorado this summer, rattlesnakes are out and basking in the sun even more frequently. That’s why it’s critical to know what to do in the event that your pet has an encounter. Here are some steps to take, according to EVS:

• Know the signs of a snake bite, including:
  • Swelling around a bite area with two puncture wounds
  • Pain around the bite wound
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Collapse and weakness
  • Difficulty breathing
• If your pet is bitten, stay calm and do not try to apprehend the snake. Quickly move out of the snake’s proximity.
• If you can, carry your pet to the vehicle. Keep your pet calm and avoid activity that would increase their heart rate.
• Do not add ice or heat.
• Do not use a tourniquet.

All snake bites, no matter the size of the snake, need to be treated immediately. Take your pet to the nearest veterinary clinic that has antivenin (not every clinic has antivenin on hand). Time is of the essence and can have a great effect on the outcome of the situation.

Learn more about rattlesnake prevention and what to do if you and your pet have a rattlesnake encounter.