Photo courtesy of Ross Lavigne

By Scott Roblin

Generous Spirit

Strangers stepping up to help cover cost of parvovirus puppy bills

Jul 31, 2019 | 5:36 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It was a casual day earlier this week for local photographer Amber Goreham, between shoots and deciding to surf social media.

But while on Facebook on Monday, she stumbled onto a troubling post in the Medicine Hat Pet Advice page.

It was from Karleen Shuttleworth, who posted that her new puppy bought just days before had contracted parvovirus.

“I didn’t even know what parvo was to be honest,” said Goreham. “But, I’m reading through the comments and everyone is freaking out about it.”

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Shuttleworth’s puppy was one of three from the same litter that were diagnosed with the contagious virus, with her family facing up to $1,500 in vet bills to save Mia.

Looking for a way to help, Goreham decided to lend her talents and offer mini-photo shoots to the public through Friday with all proceeds going to cover the bills of the new pet owners.

“Families will come down to Kin Coulee Circle, they’ll get five high-resolution edited photos for $50,” said Goreham. “Then, all of the money that I collect will go towards these puppies.”

Shoots are planned every half an hour between 4:00 and 8:00 pm each night between Wednesday and Friday, with the possibility of more shoots next week if the slots fill up.

So far, Goreham’s clients have stepped up.

“Whenever something like this comes up even if they just did my last weekend’s [shoot], it’s going towards something that’s good, so they sign up for it anyway,” Goreham said.

Goreham isn’t the only one stepping up to raise money for the pet owners, as Animal World owner Rob Andreas is joining the cause.

Animal World is accepting monetary donations as Andreas was looking for a way to make sure the money ended up in the right hands.

“My concern was to make sure that the funds went to the right place,” said Andreas. “Everyone wants to make donations and a lot of people are prepared to help, I just wanted to make sure there was a trustworthy place.”

Andreas is still waiting for the first donations to role through and said it’s been a distressing week for owners, but adds there is a silver lining with parvovirus in the spotlight.

“It’s helping with people becoming educated on why we take the precautions we do with puppies. Why we don’t take them to areas like dog parks, areas that a lot of other dogs have passed through.”

Seeing the outpouring of support, both monetary and otherwise, Shuttleworth said it’s a humbling experience that has helped restore her faith in humanity.

“They are out there and they are helping,” said Shuttleworth. “Even if it’s not financial, the words of encouragement make you feel so much better.”