Notes of Appreciation

“Hi-YA!”

To: Dr. Jackson and Mike,

Thank you for your care and support that you gave to our cat Izzie and to us. You guys were outstanding in everything you did for us. As you can see, Miss Izzie is back to her old self and we couldn’t be happier. Thank you for saving our furbaby!

Love,

The Buchanan Family

“You made my tail wag - Thank You”

Dr. Jackson and Staff,

I wanted to say thank you to you and your staff because I truly feel you saved my dog's life. Last week when we brought Baxter to your office, I was so afraid that he might not make it out or because of the heat stroke, that he may never be the same. Thanks to your efforts he is back to his ol’ self.

Thank you,

Lisa

“Thanks – It seems such a small word … for all you’ve done!”

Dr. Jackson, Joshua and Brett,

I am so appreciative of your compassion and kind attention to both Cisco and myself. I brought him in at about 9pm on June 10th. He would’ve been 16 this month. Although I tried to prepare myself - it’s never easy, but you all were very patient and thoughtful and I will never forget that!

Sincerely,

Robin

Dear Dr. Wetzel and all of you at R.E.A.C.H.,

Thank you so much for all you did caring for Leo and for taking time the other day to answer my questions to help me understand his illness. When I arrived home Wednesday night it was lonely without Leo but comforting to know he was in good hands.

Wishing you all well,

Jane

Thank you to everyone,

Coda was completely better the day I brought him home. You saved his life Dr. Gibson. Joshua you tried to keep me calm and allowed me to use the phone even though it was long distance. I’ll tell everyone how professional, compassionate and efficient your hospital is …

Jacqueline

“With thanks to all of you … because you’re all so wonderful, so kind, and thoughtful, too – It wouldn’t do to miss this chance to send warm thanks to you.”

Just wanted to say thank you ever so much for saving my Great Dane, “Ben.” On 5/12/09 I brought Ben in and you guys did a great job at finding and taking care of the problem. If it weren’t for you caring people my Ben would not be here today. Ben has recovered well and is his normal spoiled happy self. BIG THANKS TO ALL THAT HELPED SAVE MY DOG’S LIFE.

Thanks Again,

Lisa and "Ben"

Dr. Wetzel, Dr. Wilson, and staff,

Woodstock gave us over 11 years of energy, joy and unconditional love and for that we felt we owed him all that we could do for him in return, in spite of the less than favorable odds you gave us from the beginning. Words cannot express our gratitude for the superior care that was given to him throughout his hospitalization. Your compassion, medical experience and loving care gave him the love and dignity he deserved to the very end. 

After being in the medical field for thirty years in south Florida, I would like to hope that we would receive that level of care ourselves in an intensive care unit in a hospital should the need ever arise. 

Again, thanks for all you did in spite of the outcome, 

The Vanderlyn Family

Dr. Wetzel and Staff,

You had taken care of our “senior citizen,” Molly, when she was diagnosed and treated for Pancreatitis. I just wanted you to know that at this moment she is “rocking and rolling,” prancing on her walks, dashing up and down stairs, loaded with energy and accustomed to her ID diet. Of course we are supplementing with poached chicken breast, poached flounder/cod, sweet potatoes, Jasmine rice and “roasted-crisp” green beans for treats. You are all wonderful and much appreciated!

Best Regards,

Annette

“Wishing you the blessings of peace and happiness at Christmas and in the new year.”

Dear Dr. Wetzel,

Merry Christmas!! With our best wishes to you and your wonderful support staff. Because of your dedication, surgical skills and compassion our beautiful white Akita, “Hank,” is still with us. He just celebrated his tenth birthday on November 28th and has continued to do well.

Hank is our miracle dog and we are thankful for each day we have with him. May God bless each of you as you care for the animals.

Many Blessings,

Beth, Gary and Hank

Dear Dr. Wetzel,

I wrote you a note a year ago to let you know our German Shepherd, Sarec, was doing well. You had performed a splenectomy and also removed a 10 pound growth the size of a basketball. You called us after receiving my note and said you still had the photographs on your desk. Well, it now has been two years since the surgery and I am happy to tell you, Sarec, is still with us. He had his thirteenth birthday in November and is on Previcox for his arthritis but is quite happy and still enjoying life. I just want you to know how we will always be grateful to you for saving his life.

Sincerely,

Vicki & Philip

"The world will always need people like you who give so generously, help so willingly, care so deeply. THANK YOU."

Jimmy and I would like to say how much we appreciate everyone at R.E.A.C.H.! This past week was very difficult for both of us, but your caring staff helped us make hard but necessary decisions for Daisy. With your help and understanding we know we did the right thing for her! We are so glad that you were there for us!

Thanks Again,

Kim and Jimmy

R.E.A.C.H.:

Dr. Wetzel, Karen and everyone else:

On Saturday night, June 23rd, my family came to you with our best friend Duke. Although Duke had taken care of us for only 4 years, it feels like forever, he was truly wonderful. All of you were so kind, helpful and compassionate as you cared for him and us. You understood the difficult decision my family faced. To say thank you falls short for all that you did. Unfortunately, it is all I can say. Our hearts ache greatly but your kindness has helped to take the sharpness of it away. Thank you to each of you for all you did Saturday night and Sunday morning. 

Sincerely,

Terry, Susan and Andrew

To Whom It May Concern,

Two weeks ago, about three of the ninety students that I see in my 6th grade classroom told me that their dog was hit and killed by a car that Sunday. I also had a dog that was hit and killed by a car on that very same day. One of these students told me the heart-wrenching story that led up to his dog being brought to your location. I am writing this letter to let you know exactly how much that simple card and poem that you sent to the family of this student meant to him. 

Being that we have been discussing poetry, this student felt compelled to read the poem that was included with your sympathy card. Fighting back tears as he struggled to read the poem aloud, the class listened with open hearts. He never did finish the poem, claiming that he couldn’t read the writing, yet we all felt the sorrow in his heart that day. I’d like to thank you for sending sympathy cards like this one. To this one child, it meant a world of comfort and a true sense of closure. 

Our Sincere Thanks for All That You Do,

A 6th Grade Teacher

Dear R.E.A.C.H. Veterinarians and Staff,

Not only do I want to thank you for the sympathy card, but also I would like to take a moment to thank every one of you for making the most difficult night of my life bearable. I did not catch many of your names, and some of you I did not even meet in person, but you all are an incredible team. 

Starting with my phone call, to the technician who answered my question about my dog having a possible twisted stomach, and you nicely urging me to come to R.E.A.C.H. rather than wait to see my local vet the next day. You were very professional, thank you.

Next, when I was carrying my golden to the door, to the technician that started over to help me through the door rather than watch me struggle, thank you.

Upon seeing my situation, to the technician that encouraged me to keep walking to the back room to set my golden down, rather than waiting for me to start filling out the paperwork, thank you. 

To the technician that came out and asked me my golden’s name, Rocky Ann, I thank you for making it personal, rather than the guy with the golden, thank you.

To the technician who helped me with filling out the paperwork even when I had the vet’s old address, thank you. 

To the technician who brought me up to date on my expenses, I know that must be difficult, but I thank you for keeping me informed. 

To the technician that allowed me to make a long distance phone call to my wife, since my cell phone was dying, you did not hesitate to let me use the office phone, thank you.

To Dr. Gibson for being straight and honest with me about each test result and what the other test results might indicate. Not making me feel guilty when I decided not to keep Rocky Ann alive. Also for your compassion and words of encouragement during my last moments with Rocky Ann, I thank you.

To the two technicians that rolled Rocky Ann out in the cardboard casket on a gurney to my truck, your kind words of sympathy at that moment meant so much, thank you. 

The plaster paw print seems so simple, but when I got home after this emotional experience, baking it and handling it helped me process what had just taken place, thank you for this memory.

To the rest of the technicians that performed tests, x-rays, drew blood and had taken care of Rocky Ann behind closed doors, I thank you for your efficiency and professionalism. The difficult time did not last forever thanks to you. 

I cannot imagine how many times each of you deals with a difficult situation working at R.E.A.C.H.. I hope that each of you that read this letter will take a moment to realize what a gift you have for helping individuals like me get through a terrible time. 

My prayers are for each one of you working at R.E.A.C.H. and the many lives you touch. You have a very difficult job, but you do it so well.

Thank you so much!

Andy

To all who work at R.E.A.C.H.,

Thank you very much for your understanding, help and kind hands when working with Arthur. We were with you on a Friday evening in July, when he broke his leg. Arthur has had surgery and a plate put on his leg since then. We are hopeful of a full recovery. We are thankful that you were there to help and that you were all so kind.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth

I want to thank everyone who took care of “Pappy” after our auto accident in December of last year. Your loving care for him made such a big difference in both our recoveries. Knowing he was being cared for by such a wonderful people like yourselves helped me ease some of our pain. He is very healthy again and surprisingly not afraid to go for a ride in any car. Although he does miss his Daddy terribly, as do I, we are trying to get our lives back together again. Thank you does not seem like enough to say for everything you did for him and me, but it is the best we can do for now.

Again, thank you for everything,

Alice and Papi’

To all the staff at R.E.A.C.H.,

Marley says, “thank you for making everything all right with me!!”

Words cannot express how truly grateful we are to you for saving this wonderful dog!! “A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with her tongue in hours.” So, thank you all for your loving care for Marley and allowing him the chance to bring so much happiness to all that know him!

Many wagging tails to you,

Liz, Marley and Friends

“Thank You from Tinkerbell”

Words cannot express our thanks to you for taking such wonderful care of our baby. She is back to her sassy self and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for everything you do and we are glad to know you are there for us!

The Bazemore Family

Dear Dr. Wetzel and staff at R.E.A.C.H.,

Thank you all so much for the excellent care and love you gave to Snowy, my cat, while she was in your care. 

Snowy died on June 14th (on her birthday she had turned 15), two days after you discharged her. I kept her at home with me that night before her death. I could not allow her to further suffer and I am at peace with my decision to let her go. You do wonderful work there and I’ll always remember how you allowed me to have private time with her whenever I came to see her. 

We love our pets because they are somehow like us, only with more innocence and trust.

I had 15 wonderful years with her and I find comfort in knowing she was so well cared for by you and your staff. 

God bless you for the work that you do!

Sincerely,

Jeanelle

Dear R.E.A.C.H. staff,

Thank you! My mother’s blind dalmation spent last weekend with you. She had been attacked by another dog. My mother was also badly injured when she tried to break up the fight. Both Mariah and my mother ended up in the ER. 

My mother had a reaction to the medications they had given her. It was so good to know Mariah was well cared for while we resolved my mother’s situation. The two men who rolled Mariah out and helped me get her into the car were wonderful! They so clearly cared for Mariah. I cried to see such concern! I wish I had asked their names but I’m sure they will recognize themselves from this letter. 

Mariah is recovering well. She’s moving around more comfortably every day. An amazing recovery. 

Thank you all!

Cindy

To all the staff at R.E.A.C.H.,

We’d like to thank you for the great care you gave to our dog Sierra. Thanks to all of you, she is happy, healthy and at home. All the staff was excellent with keeping us updated while she was in ICU. You’ll never know how truly grateful we are. You’re all angels!

Nathan, Jessica and Sierra

“I’d like to ESPRESSO my thanks!”

Dear Dr. Johansson and R.E.A.C.H. staff,

One week ago, I stumbled into R.E.A.C.H. in acute distress with Bloat. Thanks to all of you, I’m now on the road to recovery and feeling like my old self! Thank you so very much for saving my life!

Rudy “The Dude”

(Parents - Tanya and David)

“Thanks ... from the bottom of our hearts.”

Dear Dr. Wetzel and all the staff at R.E.A.C.H.,

We wanted to write and thank you all again for being there for Rugbie (the cat) when she needed the kind of care only R.E.A.C.H. can give. We really didn’t think she was going to make it after being hit by a car and left for dead as she was, but we knew where to bring her, your wonderful group of caring emergency staff. Thanks to you all and God, Rugbie is now a little miracle. 

God bless you,

The Piscopo Family

“Holiday greetings and best wishes for the new year.”

Thank you for saving my life. I was a very sick kitty when I came to you but I am all well now. My companion, Caesar, King of the Roamin’ Empire, is very happy too. We both will have a Merry Christmas and hope all of you do too. 

Love,

Cleopatra

(Parents - Nancy and Gene)