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they couldn’t afford their pets’ lifesaving care. Then texas a&m’s vet hospital stepped up.

by samantha atchley ‘17 ‘19

Meet animals and their owners who found help, hope and healing through Texas A&M University’s veterinary funds and programs.

Where there’s a spirit can ne’er be told stands a program that can never be understated: the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. Since 1916, Texas A&M has set a standard for the industry through exceptional education, innovation and high-quality patient care.

Of all the things that set the college apart, one of the most impactful is its Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, a place where education and expert care collide. Representing the only facility of its kind in the state, the teaching hospital is a leader in top-tier veterinary care, teaching and research—offering the most comprehensive range of specialized veterinary services for all species. By integrating fourth-year veterinary students into its multidisciplinary faculty of veterinarians, Aggies are given the special opportunity to practice best-in-class care across the hospital’s growing caseload of more than 27,000 small and large animal patients per year.

But beyond the thousands of cases, what further proves the hospital’s commitment to excellence is the extraordinary compassion shown to each individual patient. Acknowledging the often-insurmountable costs of veterinary care, Texas A&M offers unique programs and funds to help pet owners through financial hardships on their companions’ road to recovery—ensuring a bill is never the barrier for care. With a mission to improve lives that is strengthened by generous support from like-minded donors, Texas A&M’s veterinary programs are providing lifesaving care at all costs.

Horse Illustration

A Daring dachshund

The Capper and Chris Save the Animals Fund

Photos by Jeff Wilson

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Tate Picture Tate picture

In a dash across a neighborhood street in Troup, Texas, a bubbly, ambitious 1-year-old miniature dachshund named Tate found himself in a sudden vehicle collision that resulted in two broken hind legs. After rushing to the family’s local veterinary emergency clinic, Tate’s owners, Alexis Shelton and Travis Everett, learned that seeking care at the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital was his best option.

“Because we’re so young, the financial decisions were very difficult, but I didn’t think it was fair to not give Tate a chance at a normal life just because I couldn’t afford it,” Shelton said.

Upon arrival, the welcoming staff eased Shelton’s fears and ensured her Tate would be in great hands. In discussions regarding his care—which included multiple surgeries over a two-month time span—Tate’s Aggie veterinarians also relieved Shelton’s financial stress by mentioning assistance available through the Capper and Chris Save the Animals Fund. “I didn’t know what the support would look like at first,” she shared. “But when I saw the financial assistance applied to our bill, I couldn’t believe something this amazing existed!”

Created by Capper Thompson in memory of Chris Stehouwer ’98—an aspiring veterinarian who passed away in a tragic car accident during his sophomore year at Texas A&M—the Capper and Chris Save the Animals Fund was established to bridge the gap between pet owners’ ability to pay for lifesaving care and the costs of required procedures.

Tate and Family
I didn’t know what the support would look like at first, but when I saw the financial assistance applied to our bill, I couldn’t believe something this amazing existed!

Alexis Shelton

Picture of Alexis and Tate

As like-minded animal lovers have resonated with the fund over the years, it has drawn in continual support from other donors.

“I vividly remember going to Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital as a student to support my friend when her horse developed colic overnight,” said Celena Auger ’96, a former equestrian student-athlete who has given small online gifts to the fund for years. “They offered assistance similar to the Capper and Chris Fund, which kept her from having to say goodbye, and that stuck with me. As I got older, and after several years working in emergency veterinary care myself, I started making donations that could create a similar impact.”  

Thanks to donors like Auger, animals like Tate can make full recoveries from seemingly impossible circumstances. Following her experience, Shelton shared that the support felt “very special knowing Tate was so loved by people who didn’t even know him, and today he’s living an amazing, healthy life as a result!”

Save a life: You can help write stories of hope and triumph like Alexis, Everett and Tate’s with a gift of $25 or more to the Capper and Chris Save the Animals Fund.

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Second Shot For Espresso

liz’s love oncology fund

Photos by jeff wilson

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Picture of Espresso Picture of Espresso

When Taylor Tindal received the devastating news that her 2-year-old pit bull mix, Espresso, had lymphoma and only a few months to live, she immediately called Texas A&M’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital for treatment. Despite apprehension for what his medical care could cost, Tindal would stop at nothing to give her energetic, fun-loving fur baby the life he deserved. Once under the care of Jaci Christensen, an oncology veterinary technician at Texas A&M, Tindal finally felt a weight lifted from her shoulders.

After paying for the first few rounds of chemo, the reality of Espresso’s medical costs started to sink in, she said. “When Jaci told me we were approved for assistance through the Liz’s Love Oncology Fund, I instantly started crying. I can’t explain how much of a relief it was to no longer be fighting alone.”

When Jaci told me we were approved for assistance through the Liz’s Love Oncology Fund, I instantly started crying. I can’t explain how much of a relief it was to no longer be fighting alone.

Taylor Tindal

Taylor and Espresso

The Liz’s Love Oncology Fund was established by an anonymous donor to support pet owners through their animals’ cancer diagnoses and treatment expenses. Since its creation, others have stepped in to help perpetuate the fund’s mission through contributions that save lives and spread hope. For donors Taylor and Andrew Blanchard, the fund had an especially meaningful tie.

“When our dog Memphis was battling cancer, the whole team at Texas A&M put so much effort into providing the best experience possible and did all they could for him,” Andrew said. “Cancer can’t always be beaten, and although he is gone, we’ve been blessed and want to bless others with the same opportunity we had.”

Because of donor support, the fund has allowed Tindal to purchase more precious time for her furry companion. With Espresso’s treatment more than tripling the life expectancy of his initial prognosis, Tindal is now enjoying every moment with her loving, resilient four-legged friend during his much-celebrated remission.

Taylor and Espresso
Stick and hole
It’s overwhelming to have a pet diagnosed with a terminal illness, so to have somebody reach out a hand is an incredible feeling. I cannot speak positively enough about Texas A&M—they make it feel less like you’re entering a hospital and more like you’re being taken care of by family.

Taylor Tindal

Taylor and Espresso

Share the love: With a gift to the Liz’s Love Oncology Fund, you can help pets like Espresso complete chemo and provide owners like Taylor more time with their four-legged family.

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Hoofprints on the heart

harveigh’s heroes

Photos provided by Camp Able of Buffalo Gap

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Anabelle Picture Anabelle Picture

Amidst the downpour of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, a new life was born on Tammy and John “Ren” Canton’s farmland in Fulshear, Texas. When the sky cleared, the Cantons were surprised to discover an unexpected addition lying in their pasture: a strong-willed female calf they dubbed “Harveigh.”

Scooping her up in the nick of time, the Cantons nursed Harveigh back to health in their laundry room-turned-stable, where she permanently claimed her space in the Cantons’ hearts and home. However, when abnormalities appeared in Harveigh’s health at 6 months old, Tammy was referred to seek treatment at Texas A&M.

“The staff at the Large Animal Teaching Hospital was so welcoming, but unfortunately, Harveigh was confirmed to be in liver failure and admitted into the ICU,” Tammy explained. “After testing, it was presumed that Harveigh ingested a toxic plant and would require several weeks of treatment to stabilize her condition.”

Though Harveigh made a remarkable recovery, not long after returning home, she suffered an unexpected relapse due to sun exposure heavily impacting her condition. Soon, the Cantons had to bid a heartbreaking goodbye. Still inspired by her phenomenal care, the couple chose to continue her legacy through Harveigh’s Heroes—an animal care fund to assist patients of the Large Animal Teaching Hospital.

Anabelle with rider

“Our choice to help Harveigh was not only a great chance to enjoy more time with her but also a great learning opportunity for Texas A&M students,” Tammy said. “We created this fund hoping it would open a door for someone in need and allow veterinarians to save a life, if possible.”

For Camp Able in Buffalo Gap, Texas—a nonprofit that provides equine therapy and skills-based training to people with special needs—Harveigh’s Heroes afforded just that. Saving a horse named Annabelle from life-threatening dental conditions, assistance from Harveigh’s Heroes gave the gentle camp favorite a new lease on life, allowing her to assume her therapy role for an additional three years until she passed away peacefully this May at the ripe old age of 29. 

“It’s hard to put a price on the service that horses like Annabelle provide for children, but our organization was struggling to meet the financial demands of her required care at the time,” said Cody Cox, Camp Able’s executive director. “The help we received was tremendous, and the extra years we got with her allowed dozens of children to start the therapeutic riding program that’s helped change their lives.”

Anabelle with caretaker
Horseshoe picture
We created this fund hoping it would open a door for someone in need and allow veterinarians to save a life, if possible.

Tammy Canton

Anabelle with caretaker

Be a hero: Want to carry on Harveigh’s legacy and help large animals receive the care they need? Give to the Harveigh’s Heroes fund today!

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lending a lifeline

texas a&M veterinary emergency team

photos by jeff wilson

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Lady Picture Lady Picture

When the dust settled after the brutal Smokehouse Creek Fire near Canadian, Texas, earlier this year, local veterinarian Dr. Doug Crouch was assessing the needs of his community when he came across ranching family Jim and Jeff Haley’s horse, Lady—a troubled mare suffering life-altering burns to her body and eyes. 

“When I found Lady, her appearance was painful to say the least,” Crouch said. “Her eyes were swollen shut, but when I approached her, she reached out to touch my hand as if asking for help.”

To properly help Lady, Crouch would need some help himself. As one of the only veterinarians serving his rural community, the severity and volume of animal care cases began to pile on his plate—so when the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team arrived on the scene, the added support made all the difference.

“Our 10,000-acre ranch was burned from fence to fence in a matter of minutes,” Jim’s son, John Haley, said. “There was so much to deal with, and Dr. Crouch was obviously overrun, so to have Texas A&M’s team come and take some of that burden was exactly what we needed.”

Our 10,000-acre ranch was burned from fence to fence in a matter of minutes. There was so much to deal with, and Dr. Crouch was obviously overrun, so to have Texas A&M’s team come and take some of that burden was exactly what we needed.”

john haley

Flower Picture
John and Lady
John and Lady in a field
Continuing to build upon our success is not only important for our mission but also for the opportunities it provides for students to learn from these real-world challenges. With continued support, we can keep leading the way.

dr. debra “deb” zoran ‘97

Prepared for these exact scenarios, the team is the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the country. At the request of the Texas A&M Task Force or county jurisdictions, its full-time and student veterinarians deploy to provide medical support to search-and-rescue teams and resident animals in the wake of natural or human-made disasters. Founding member and director Dr. Debra “Deb” Zoran ’97 said the team’s success is a culmination of Texas A&M’s commitment to excellence and the unparalleled support of Aggies.

“Many schools have small teams that will help in disasters, but we’re different at Texas A&M,” she said. “Continuing to build upon our success is not only important for our mission but also for the opportunities it provides for students to learn from these real-world challenges. With continued support, we can keep leading the way.”

Representing one of many answering this call for aid, former student and donor Bethany Wolf ’99 ’00 established a monthly online gift in 2017 after learning of the team’s inspiring and influential impact—so far providing its operations more than $4,300. 

John and Lady posing

“I first discovered the Veterinary Emergency Team through a magazine article and instantly knew it was something I wanted to give back to,” Wolf said. “As a Houston resident, I’ve seen how natural disasters can impact people and their pets, so it made sense to support a team that provides professional help to those who find themselves in such stressful situations. By continuing to make these small contributions, I hope that I can make a big difference along the way.”

Though the grass has gotten greener with time, John says he and Lady won’t soon forget the experience. “After all we went through, I’m very grateful to have Lady back and fully cleared to ride again,” he said. “I think it shifted her perspective on life because her whole demeanor has changed. You can tell she’s happy to be here.”

Stand with the team: You can join donors like Bethany in making a big difference for the Veterinary Emergency Team. With a gift of $25 or more to the Veterinary Emergency Team fund, you can help the group prepare for future deployments to aid animals and owners in need.

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