BOCA RATON - While all Veterinarians love to attend to all kinds of animals, over the years I have found that joining a pet owner in providing medical care for a special needs pet is an especially very rewarding experience.

In the pet world, much emphasis is rightfully placed on caring for pets, but for some reason, the special experience of caring for these special animals is not accorded enough exposure and focus.

It takes an extraordinary, loving person to own and care for a special needs pet.  

Why? Obviously, there is an especially large commitment of time and resources a pet owner must make to this unique kind of animal.  These increased responsibilities and costs go hand in hand with an essential empathy that helps a handicapped animal enjoy life despite its disability. 

While owning a pet is a great experience and often enhances your quality of life, caring for a special needs pet provides the owners of these animals amazing satisfaction from allowing their pets to conduct their lives in a comfortable manner.

There are two ways that pet owners find themselves caring for a special needs animal.  Sometimes, a pet already in the home can develop a debilitating illness or get severely injured that makes it a special needs pet.  Other pet owners purposely adopt special needs animals out of pet adoption facilities.  While it is estimated that over 8 million animals enter shelters each year, there are thousands among those animals that have serious injuries or behavioral issues that qualify them as pets with special needs.

A special needs pet is defined as an animal that has a physical disability, is recovering from a serious injury or has a chronic or terminal illness, has emotional and/or behavior problems, or is elderly and requires hospice at home. 

These animals are more much expensive than regular pets to own in terms of increased veterinary care and special food and medicine that is required for them.

The owner of a special needs pet must also have the time, money, space and ability to change their homes to accommodate these animals. Special needs pets also need to take medication more frequently, which can be costly and cumbersome to administer to the pet.  For example, a dog in a wheelchair may need a ramp and other handicap access to various areas of a home.

I have a number of special needs patients I care for. Two are pictured below.  One is Cooper, who had his right back leg amputed due to cancer. Another is Lola, had to have her eyes removed at a very young age. 

Cooper

I can't tell you how our day is made here at the Boca North Animal Hospital when they come in with their great owners.  Each of them has a very special history, having overcome great obstacles just to survive. It is wonderful to see that they are now healthy and enjoying life to the fullest.

Lola

If you own a special needs pet, or may want to volunteer to own one, and want more information about caring for them, please contact me here at the Boca North Animal Hospital for a personal consultation by either calling us at 561-997-8540 or by replying to this email.  It may be the start of the one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!