Local Search and Rescue Dog Needs Your Help

The Bedford County Wilderness Search Team is attempting to establish a medical fund to help cover large medical expenses incurred by their canine partners.  Jada will be the first canine to benefit from this new fund. (pictured)

The Bedford County Wilderness Search Team needs your help.  Jada, a 3year old German Shepherd, and the team's lead search dog, has recently been diagnosed with canine hip dysplasia (CHD).  CHD is a hereditary condition that causes the afflicted dog's hip joints to form with abnormal elasticity.  This causes extra movement within the joint and actually allows the head of the femur to slip in and out of the joint as the dog moves.  The extra movement causes the femur to grind painfully against the hip socket.  Over time the head of the femur is flattened and the hip socket is eroded away.  Unfortunately the resulting severe arthritis can cause the dog to be crippled before they reach their senior years.

Jada is a highly trained dog with a strong work ethic and a love for people that drives her to keep working even when she is tired.  Jada has been placed on medical leave at this point and has been referred to veterinary orthopedic specialists at Ohio State University.  Jada will need to have a total hip replacement at an estimated cost of $3600.  At the current time BCWST does not have the funds available to cover the cost of this surgery and needs the support of the community to help raise the money to cover the cost of the surgery.  A total hip replacement is Jada's only hope to returning to serve the community and to living a pain free life. Click here for more information.  Thanks for the tip, Nicki.

Donations may be sent to: Bedford County Wilderness Search Team, Canine Medical Fund, PO Box 445, New Paris, PA 15554