Donations pay for therapy dog's surgery in just hours

Medford, Ore. — An update to a story NBC5 first brought you Monday, about a therapy dog needing a life-saving surgery, that his family couldn’t afford. We’re happy to report tonight that shortly after our story aired, community donations were pouring in and in less than 24 hours Vlady’s surgery is paid for in full.

His family says they are blown away by the community’s support. At 6 o’clock Monday there was just $150 on the family’s Go Fund Me page, now there’s over $3,000.

“Thank you so much for the donations,” Patty Dillard says, “thank you, thank you.”

“It really helped,” Veronica Gilson adds, “and I want to thank them so much from the bottom of my heart.”

Vlady serves as a therapy dog for the Gilson’s son, who has autism. The German Shepherd is suffering from an infection from a fracture he received prior to his rescue. The hope is that the surgery can be scheduled in the coming weeks.