As we near the anniversary of the Valley Fire, the staff of Middletown Animal Hospital invites Lake County residents and friends, directly and indirectly affected, to reflect back on the terrible event that changed the lives of so many people and animals on September 12, 2015. As the epicenter for helping animals from the Cobb, Hidden Valley and Middletown areas, we saw first hand the outpouring of generosity from strangers and want to thank everyone involved in the animal healing effort. It is such a relief to know that the cause of the fire was not malicious and we remember the people and animals who lost their lives that day.
Words cannot express our thankfulness to so many people:
Service, Support, and Donations:
Mark Scott-Sr. Animal Control Officer-Petaluma Animal Shelter
Jeff Charter-Petaluma Animal Shelter
Meghan Britton-Large Animal Coordinator, Napa County Fairgrounds
Sonoma Change Program-Coins to Help Abandoned & Neglected Animals: Katie Moore-Executive Director, Lee Miller and Eleanor Guerin.
Grant Miller, DVM-CVMA Disaster Coordinator and founder of Sonoma Change Program
CAVMRC-Dr. Miller
CVMF-Dr. Jay Kerr
UCDavis VERT-Dr. B & Dr. Madigan
NVADG
Karen Schaver-Lake County Animal Services/Orphan Dog Rescue
The citizens of Sonoma Co donated over $3k to Western Farm, Santa Rosa for feed/supplies
Jeff & Rebecca Larcher along with Martin Ranch Supply, Marin Stables in Fairfax, Central Valley Building Supply
Bruce Martin
Dr. Gary Hanes
Julie Atwood-HALTERFund.org Leading Rural Residents to Safety & Readiness
Celeste Winders-Wordmice
Pam Ingals-Wine Country Animal Lovers WCAL
SHS-Sonoma Humane Society
SAFER- Sonoma Action for Equine Rescue
Janis Sowell-Pet Finder Helper
JARR-Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch
Sunrise Horse Rescue
Sunrise Horse Rescue
Lost Hearts & Soles Horse Rescue
CART
Cindy, Bruce & Butch-Santa Clara OES
Yolo County Sheriffs Posse
Banfield Foundation
Mike Mertens, Victor Medical
Allied Industry-Zoetis, IDEXX, MWI, Patterson, BI, Merck, Merial, Elanco
Donna Yeo and Mark Allen Keyser from Las Vegas
Jennifer Peabody, RVT-Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation
Mike Lancaster and Austin Hardwick from Morgan Hill
Patagonia and the Interact Club of Middletown High School
Barreda’s Lower Lake Feed
Atkinson Hay Co, Fairfield
PAS escorted 3 Tractor Trailer loads of Hay
CALFire, PGE, ATT, Davey Tree, Law Enforcement and many more….
We would like to thank the following veterinarians/technicians who donated long hours each day:
Claudia Sonders, DVM-Napa Valley Equine/CEH UCDavis
Noel Dybdal, DVM-Davis
John Madigan DVM, Eric Davis DVM, Patricia Callahan, DVM, and UCDavis VERT Team
Dina Allison, DVM-Sacramento
Scott Fetherston, DVM-Ukiah
Jay Kerr, DVM-San Ramon
Patrick Flynn, DVM-Sage Veterinary Center
Dana Shackelton, DVM-Middletown
Joanna Holtz, DVM-Middletown
Tammy, Miranda and Edie-Technicians from outside the area
Brandi Parsons, RVT, Jackie Hickson, Technician, Jennifer Tennison, Reception-Middletown
Teresa Axthelm, Manager-Middletown Animal Hospital
Noel Salazar-Tech, Jose Ibarra, RVT-Sage
Kristin Freitas, RVT, Stephanie Rose-Technician, Kim A.-Technician-SAGE Veterinary Centers from the Bay Area
Averi Brickson, DVM-Owner, Nikki Gilbertsen-Technician-Citrus Heights Pet Hospital
Stephanie Klein, vet student-Western
Please forgive and report any ommissions or additions.
Gratefully,
Middletown Animal Hospital Staff and Volunteers
Jeffrey Smith, DVM, CCRP reflects back on the past year:
We are approaching the 1-year anniversary of the Valley Fire (September 12th)—California’s 2nd most destructive fire ever (2000+ structures, 7M+ Trees, 9000+ vehicles, 900+ power poles, 4 human lives, un-tolled animal lives).
The fire zone (70,000 acres) was a wasteland, and since the TV crews and national attention has died down, the harder work of cleaning up, cutting down, replanting and rebuilding has been under way. Although much of the drama and devastation was in the immediate weeks following the fire, one can imagine the fortitude and strength of spirit needed to rebuild and to adapt to the “new normal.”
Thanks to the enormous generosity of people, the animal element of the disaster has been one aspect of the recovery that fire victims (both pet’s that were lost or injured, as well as people who lost their homes or businesses) have had tremendous help with. In the first 2 weeks of the fire over 500 animals were treated while an additional 300 animals were treated in the the next two weeks. Since then, between 50 and 150 fire victims pets have been treated every month. All aspects of veterinary care for these pets have been provided—not just fire related injuries. The funding that we received has just now nearly run out, and most fire victims have made progress down the road to recovery. I believe that the animal relief effort provided a hugely compassionate resource to people that had lost everything—knowing that their animal family was going to be taken care of while they navigated the insurance, contractor, government, hazmat, housing, vehicle, and possession replacement dimensions of the fire gave them some sorely needed relief and peace of mind.
The Middletown Animal Hospital acted as an island of relief within the burn zone where victims could get veterinary care, animal supplies, feeds, foods, hay and even fencing and water troughs—all pro-bono! There was an enormous team of volunteers and disaster relief personnel that made the effort possible. It was truly amazing to see that when things were at their very worst, people were at their very best. Again, it was the generosity of friends and strangers together that made the animal care aspect of the Valley Fire such a success.
Miclo was one of my favorite stories of the fire:
Miclo got loose during the Valley Fire and was shooting the face and leg while chasing livestock. He came to Middletown Animal Hospital to be triaged then went to UC Davis for surgery on his leg. Since he returned, we have seen him 3 times/week for laser therapy and rehabilitation to aid in recovery. He was not using his right hind leg at all. His foot was knuckling over and his ligaments had shortened from lack of use. During the healing process we ordered him a Toe Up Orthodic brace to wear on the leg so that he was able to position his foot more normally and train his foot to stay in the proper position. With laser therapy, massage and rehabilitation exercises he is now in the correct position and walking on the leg while in the brace. He is doing dancing and balancing exercises with his back legs on the ground while his front legs are held suspended. During this entire process he has been a happy boy and has had a great attitude. We are hoping that he will eventually be able to use the leg without the brace.