When five-year-old golden doodle Lucy was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, her owners, Stéphanie Gauvin and Tim MacIsaac, faced the heart-wrenching decision of how to save their beloved pet. Rather than settle for standard treatments like chemotherapy, which could only buy Lucy six months to a year more of life, the couple sought out advanced medical procedures offered across the border.
They soon discovered the Bellingham Veterinary Clinic in Washington, which specializes in innovative stem cell transplant and immunotherapy treatments for dogs. The couple learned this cutting-edge approach could cost around $100,000 CAD — hefty, yes, but worth every penny if it meant saving Lucy’s life. Thankfully, their pet insurance would cover most of the expenses, but the couple would still have to fundraise to cover the remainder.
For the stem cell transplant procedure to work, they needed to find a suitable stem cell match for Lucy. This challenge became their new focus. “We’re trying to reach out on social media, reaching out to the breeder, tracking down her family line. Just trying to find anyone who might be related to her and might be willing to check and see if their dog’s a match,” Gauvin explained from their home base in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
While Lucy currently undergoes chemotherapy at Cobequid Animal Hospital, local veterinarians are also keeping a close watch on the case. Dr. Melissa Burgoyne, who is administering Lucy's chemotherapy, is hopeful about leveraging the groundbreaking treatments gaining traction just south of the border. “I had no idea this was even available, it’s something I’m currently researching myself,” Burgoyne revealed. She emphasized the need for such advanced treatments to become available more broadly within Canada, especially for families with pets facing dire prognoses.
According to the Bellingham Veterinary Clinic's information, stem cell transplantation can have significantly higher success rates than more conventional treatment methods when it hinges on complete remission. Although the Washington veterinarian involved declined to comment for this article, the clinic's website noted stem cell procedures might even lead to cures for certain conditions.
Dr. Burgoyne is fully invested, planning to prepare Lucy for the potential transplant, overseeing aftercare, and tracking the costs involved. “I’m hoping this ends with Lucy being a healthy, happy dog, lymphoma-free,” she expressed with optimism.
Essentially, Gauvin and MacIsaac believe golden retrievers, poodles, and similar doodles connected to Willow Lane Farms and Idaho Jewels Poodles might be Lucy’s best shot at finding her match. Their innovative approach includes sending free test kits to veterinarians for families who suspect their dogs might be related. By early November, they had dispatched 18 kits to veterinary clinics to conduct blood tests to locate potential matches.
When those who share Lucy’s lineage come forward, not only could it save her life, but it also significantly helps the process to locate potential stem cell donors. Their call for help through social media has garnered attention from people across the Maritimes as well as several U.S. states. Potential matches could range as far back as four generations.
“People want to help dogs,” shared MacIsaac, marveling at the outpouring support they have received. Indeed, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive. “Dogs are family,” he said, expressing gratitude for the connections they've made along this arduous path.
Another dog owner, Lorna Welde, has championed the benefits of these types of treatments since her own dog Galaxie received successful stem cell transplant care back in 2018. Welde credits the procedure with not only saving her dog’s life but allowing him to return to his normal joyful self. Since then, she has actively advised other dog owners facing similar challenges, emphasizing available options and the potential for positive outcomes.
“I wanted people facing this diagnosis with their dog, to have all the information to be able to make their best decisions,” Welde stated from her New York state home, stressing the safety and efficacy of the procedure. With increasing veterinary specialists and advancements being made, Welde's advocacy plays a significant role in spreading information and elevates the conversation surrounding alternative dog cancer treatments.
Gauvin and MacIsaac hope their fundraising efforts will yield the necessary support to give Lucy the chance she deserves. They not only want their story to resonate with local dog owners but also inspire families dealing with pets at different crossroads. Whether it's through social media platforms or grassroots fundraising events, they've witnessed firsthand the compassion and willingness from the public to help dogs fight for their lives. This is, after all, the ultimate goal—to give Lucy, and potentially many dogs facing similar battles, the fighting chance they deserve.
