For some veterinarians, being professional and emotional should not coexist in the line of their job. The personal stories of their patients are not needed as much as the consent from their patients’ owner to proceed in treating their pets. But for one doctor, things got a lot personal, but all for the right reasons.
What should have been a festive season for a family turned to a sad holiday as their pet got severely hurt. David and Sumney Hageman were faced with “the hardest decision of their lives” when tragedy struck them. Their Daschund Lola was left paralyzed in both her hind legs just before Christmas.
The couple was forced to make a heartbreaking judgment in order to save their dog. It involved surrendering their 4-year-old puppy to a rescue group as they cannot afford the expensive treatment of 6,000 dollars for Lola’s back surgery.
Photo credit: Adil Imad
Devastated of the reality, the family’s fate was doomed to be separated from their beloved pet. But then, a kind-hearted veterinarian set aside his sake and decided to help the family. Dr. Michael Wong, a resident veterinarian at Southeast Veterinary Neurology located in Miami, Florida, scheduled to perform the operation after learning that Lola’s parents had been forced to give her up in order to get her treated.
Right away, without any hesitation, he decided to help the unsuspecting family and refused the professional fee. He even asked the rescue group to bring back Lola to her rightful parents.
Sumney and David were grateful, emotional and overjoyed when they learned the selfless act of the doctor. Overflowing with tears, the Hagemans were reunited after Lola’s successful surgery. It was the best Christmas gift that they could have asked for.
Video credit: Miami Herald
Thanks, Adil Imad, for sharing with us this story.
