Concert Planned for Puppy

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release

Contact: Jan Williams, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-6228

Concert planned for puppy thrown from parking ramp
Proceeds to pay for puppy’s treatment and rehabilitation

What:
Benefit concert for injured puppy by Nashville recording artist Bo Billy

When:
Sunday, July 17, 4 to 8 p.m.

Where:
O’Gara’s Garage, 164 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, (July 8, 2005) – Nashville recording artist and performer Bo Billy will perform a benefit concert at O’Gara’s Garage (164 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul), on Sunday, July 17, from 4 to 8 p.m. for Dobie, a Labrador retriever puppy injured when he was thrown from a parking ramp in June.

Suffering from two broken legs and a shattered hip, the puppy required surgery and rehabilitation costing more than $5,000. From the nature of his injuries, veterinarians believe the dog was dropped from the upper level of a St. Louis Park ramp.

Duane Hodges, who works nearby and parks in the ramp nearly every day, promptly adopted the pup and agreed to pay the cost of his treatment at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. “It’s a lot of money, but my heart just went out to that little dog,” Hodges said. “I knew he needed help.”

On June 14, the puppy’s story – and Hodges’ offer to help – aired on WCCO-TV. The station was soon flooded with calls and e-mails from people who wanted to help the puppy – or, more specifically, help Hodges help the puppy, which Hodges named Dobie. The callers included Bo Billy, who offered to perform a benefit concert for the puppy. Soon, a fund was set up at the University of Minnesota Foundation for people who wish to make tax-deductible donations to help pay for Dobie’s care.

On June 15, Dobie underwent surgery at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. He recovered well, and began a series of twice-weekly underwater treadmill therapy sessions on June 30, which will continue for a minimum of six weeks.

“We use water therapy because it is the most supportive to the body and the least concussive to the joints,” explained canine rehabilitation specialist Lin Gelbmann. “The dog is buoyed by the water and able to exercise to maintain and build muscle strength without force on the injured joints.” Dobie is also doing therapeutic exercises at home with Hodges’ help.

“We’ll probably never know who was so cruel or why they did it,” Hodges said. “What’s really important is that this wonderful little dog is still here with us, and he’s getting better every day. You look at him, and all you see is love.”

“We are humbled by Duane Hodges’ compassion and generosity, as we are by the spirit of the many benefactors who have come forward in support of Dobie and Duane,” says Jeff Klausner, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Their selfless acts are a tribute to the human condition and far outweigh those of the person who hurt Dobie in the first place.”

The July 17 Bo Billy benefit concert is open to the public. Those who attend will be asked to make a donation for Dobie’s care. Others wishing to donate to the Dobie Fund should make checks payable to the Veterinary Medical Center and write “Dobie Fund” on the memo line. About $2,000 has already been raised. Once Dobie’s medical bills are paid, any additional funds will be designated for the treatment of other abused animals brought to the Veterinary Medical Center.

For more information about the Dobie Fund, contact Rob Nordin, development director at the College of Veterinary Medicine, at 612-624-1247 or nordi053@umn.edu.

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