GIVE BLOOD, GET COOKIES- DOG BLOOD DONORS
by Michele Brady, reprinted from "Pets on Wheels/Life Enrichment, June 2000

Every 7 weeks Hershey and Lacey, my 2 English setters, get dressed in their red blood donor bandannas and readily hop in the car for the short drive to Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank (EVBB) in Annapolis. Once there it's a mad dash fro the door as the dogs can hardly wait to go in. In the waiting room, they eagerly stare at the closed door to the exam room, rails a'wagging, knowing the cookies will soon appear. A few minutes alter the door opens and in come two ladies with the COOKIES! The vet and her technician take Lacey first for the blood donation process. Hershey paces, anxiously awaiting her turn. About 15 minutes later out bounces Lacey and the two ladies with more cookies. Then Hershey happily goes in. After Hershey donates blood we all meet in the waiting room. While the dogs munch on more cookies, we make our next appointment. The dogs are given hugs and a drink, then coaxed out the door to the car. A happy time had by all!!

Your dog could save a dog's life, maybe even the life of a Pets on Wheels dog! Consider your dog a life saver as a blood donor for dogs who suffer from anemia, injury or disease. The blood collection process is relatively painless and takes only 10-20 minutes. If your dog is healthy, between 9 months and 7 years and weighs more than 35 lbs., he/she qualifies as a potential blood donor. In return for donating, your dog gets a physical exam each visit, yearly tests for heartworm and other diseases, blood typing and chemistry profile, a free unit of blood or plasma for each unit donated, plus other benefits. Won't you consider this opportunity to save a dog's life? It does the heart good! The EVBB phone number is 410-224-BANK.