K-9 Yoube's Emergency Surgery
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Please keep Project K-9 Hero National Ambassador, K-9 Yoube, in your thoughts and prayers. She was admitted to the Emergency Room at Veterinary Care and Specialty Group in Chattanooga after losing all mobility in both of her back legs overnight on August 8th, 2024.
As of the morning of August 8th, Yoube is awaiting her MRI, and her Neurologist will be updating us as soon as she has the results.
If surgery is required for what could potentially be a herniated disc, tumor on the spine, nerve damage (just some examples of what could be causing this), Yoube will immediately go into life-saving surgery without delay.
Once the Neurosurgeon calls us back with a diagnosis, Jason, our Founder, will update everyone on her health.
Please keep Project K-9 Hero National Ambassador, K-9 Yoube, in your thoughts and prayers. She was admitted to the Emergency Room at Veterinary Care and Specialty Group in Chattanooga after losing all mobility in both of her back legs overnight on August 8th, 2024.
As of the morning of August 8th, Yoube is awaiting her MRI, and her Neurologist will be updating us as soon as she has the results.
If surgery is required for what could potentially be a herniated disc, tumor on the spine, nerve damage (just some examples of what could be causing this), Yoube will immediately go into life-saving surgery without delay.
Once the Neurosurgeon calls us back with a diagnosis, Jason, our Founder, will update everyone on her health.
We would like to thank members of Chattanooga Police K-9 Unit for their unwavering support in meeting her at the ER early this morning. It is great to see the trainers/handlers she served with while she was active in the exam and waiting room.
After a complete MRI on the afternoon of August 8th, the Neurosurgeon attending to Yoube determined that she had a large herniated disc in her L1/L2 region of her spine that was compressed so badly she should not see her spinal cord. She suggested immediate surgery to go in and try to remove this disc in an effort to alleviate this pressure.
There were additional large, compressed discs in her T12/T13 region of the spinal cord that also showed a great deal of swelling or degeneration. These could not be removed, but potentially she could offer some relief if the spinal cord isn’t already dead in that area. Yoube is now under emergency surgery to help her walk once again and, due to the severity of the issues, she faces a possibility of not being able to ever walk again, or the potential of not making it through the surgery all together.
On the plus side, there is a possibility that surgery could be 100% successful and Yoube can recover from this condition. She is currently under sedation and her vital signs are doing well. It will be a long 2-3 hour procedure, and we really won’t know any more until the Neurologist has completed everything that she can do to try and #SaveYoube! Without hesitation, Project K-9 Hero has already paid out nearly $10k in medical expenses today to give Yoube a fighting chance to walk again.
"In speaking with Yoube's Neurosurgeon, the mass on the MRI films was not a herniated disc, it was very large tumor in her spinal canal, one that was too large for removal, in fear of severing her spinal cord all together.
The tumor was crunchy in nature, almost like cartilage. The Neurologist was able to dissect what parts she could, and removed the bone on top of the mass so it may offer some relief. However, since she couldn’t get it all out, there may be little to no change in her mobility as a possibility.
As of 8:00 a.m on August 9th, K-9 Yoube is completely paralyzed in both of her back legs, with the inability to feel sensation in her toes. For now, a catheter has been placed, and she will be hospitalized for a minimum of several more days until the biopsy comes back on Monday or Tuesday.
I have already spoken in depth with our Project K-9 Hero Executive Board Oncologist, Dr. Melissa Parsons-Doherty, depending on the results, we do have some treatment options to use radiation on the tumor, which could improve her mobility and bladder control.
I am going back to visit Yoube this afternoon to tell her how much I love her, and to keep fighting. As we are not giving up on getting her the treatments she needs, to be able to walk again, and come back home!
I appreciate all of your kind words and concern for her over the last two days, it means the world to both Yoube and me." - Jason Johnson, Founder/CEO
Yoube is able to feel pain and sensation in her back legs today, which is great news!
The catheter will stay at least one more day, but the next step is to try and get her to urinate on her own.
We still await biopsy results, but depending on what they are, it could dictate the next steps we do regarding treatment. The order of her being able to walk again starts with feeling pain in her rear legs (like today), then urinating on her own, then movement in her legs.
Jason Johnson, our Founder/CEO, wishes to express his gratitude to everyone for their unwavering support of Yoube. We expect the total medical bills to amount to roughly $25,000. We appreciate every dollar you have donated.
Yoube's mass is NOT cancer, and she will need to undergo radiation treatment to maximize the possibility of regaining her ability to walk. She'll start treatment Monday, August 19th.
Yoube is still smiling. She can't yet walk, but she's doing her best with the help of some wheels.
"Yoube had appointments with Neurology, Physical Therapy, and Oncology today at the Veterinary Care and Specialty Group in Chattanooga. She got her sutures out, laser treatment, passive range of motion exercises, and radiation on the mass that is still putting pressure on her spine, leaving her paralyzed.
I have never in my life seen a dog who just smiled through it all, nonstop, and possess this level of attitude when she literally can’t walk or stand up on her own. Yoube is an inspiration to all living beings that you are NEVER OUT OF THE FIGHT!
Just look at these photos and think to yourself, that if Yoube can get through what she is going through in her life; then you can too! This is why she is our Project K-9 Hero National Ambassador, for her Dedication, Determination, and Heart." - JJK9
Our 109th Program Member, K-9 Yoube, came to us from the Chattanooga Police Department K-9 Unit. Yoube is an eleven-year-old Dutch Shepherd Narcotics Detection K-9 who no longer had a full-time handler assigned her and was in need of a new home. She stayed with Jason Johnson, our Founder/CEO, for a few weeks to learn her behaviors so he could find her the perfect home. It turns out, that home was with him.
Yoube is now living at our Rehabilitation and Rehoming Facility for Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs in Tennessee. She was promoted to our National Ambassador in December of 2020. She is very special to our staff.
K-9 Yoube's Bio
Our 109th Program Member, K-9 Yoube, came to us from the Chattanooga Police Department K-9 Unit. Yoube is an eleven-year-old Dutch Shepherd Narcotics Detection K-9 who no longer had a full-time handler assigned her and was in need of a new home. She stayed with Jason Johnson, our Founder/CEO, for a few weeks to learn her behaviors so he could find her the perfect home. It turns out, that home was with him.
Yoube is now living at our Rehabilitation and Rehoming Facility for Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs in Tennessee. She was promoted to our National Ambassador in December of 2020. She is very special to our staff.
With just the diagnostic testing and ER stay alone, her care reached $5,000. The surgery added another $5,000. Her current bill is at $10,700, not including the estimated $3,000 for hospitalization costs.
Jason added, “I want to personally thank everyone who supports this nonprofit organization for making my decision easy this morning, that we will raise however much money we need to, as long as we #SaveYoube!”
Will you help us continue to care for K-9 Yoube's medical needs, which are approaching $10,000 in just one day? Your support can make a world of difference for Yoube and her family. And, in this case, her family is our staff.
By contributing, you help ensure Yoube gets the life-saving treatment she needs, relieving her family of the financial strain.
Thank you for helping us give Yoube the chance to walk again.
With just the diagnostic testing and ER stay alone, her care reached $5,000. The surgery added another $5,000. Her current bill is at $10,700, not including the estimated $3,000 for hospitalization costs.
Jason added, “I want to personally thank everyone who supports this nonprofit organization for making my decision easy this morning, that we will raise however much money we need to, as long as we #SaveYoube!”
Will you help us continue to care for K-9 Yoube's medical needs, which are approaching $10,000 in just one day? Your support can make a world of difference for Yoube and those who love her.
By contributing, you help ensure Yoube gets the life-saving treatment she needs.
Thank you for helping us give Yoube the chance to walk again.
K-9 Benefits for All Program Members
All Medical Costs & Prescription Food Covered
Every K-9 Hero in our program has their medical, prescription food, and end-of-duty services costs covered by us for the rest of their lives. This amounts to an average of $4,000 per year per member, but that's just an average. Many of our dogs have special medical needs brought on by the rigors of their training and service to our country, so their medical costs are far more each month. And we often cover $10,000 medical bills for emergencies like the story you read about above.
Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility
In addition to the hundreds of dogs in our program who still live with their families and handlers, we also house several Heroes at our Whitwell, TN Rehab and Rehoming Facility. Some of them are there temporarily, some of them will remain with us for life. All of them require the same costly medical care and that our regular Program Members need, but also require specialized staff and trainers to meet the very special needs each one of them has due to their service.
End-of-Duty Services
With great sadness, we realize that every Hero's watch will come to an end. We make sure that each dog in our program has those costs covered, as well, so that their families can focus on themselves and their grief rather than the costs that come with euthanasia and burial services. Although a K-9 Hero's passing is never easy, we do what we can to bring comfort to our Heroes and their families when the time comes.
WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU
Your support is the only way that we can continue our work. You are the reason these K-9 Heroes can retire in comfort, with dignity and medical coverage.
Will you help?
MWD Rroddie Needs Monthly Medical Care
During Rroddie’s eight-year career, he was attached to multiple U.S. Army Special Forces Teams (ODA) while in Afghanistan. Rroddie also served with the Special OperationsTask Force 1 in Iraq. He completed over two dozen USSS (Secret Service) missions, both internationally and domestically, and was responsible for protecting the President of the United States
in Montenegro, Chile, Columbia, the Philippines, Korea, and in countless cities across the USA!
In retirement, MWD Rroddie has been diagnosed with Vestibular Syndrome (seizures), and underwent a Splenectomy due to a large mass found on his spleen. The expensive veterinary visits and prescription medications will not be covered by the Government or the U.S. Military. So far, the cost for Rroddie's surgeries and care has been thousands of dollars and continues to grow each month. This is an extreme expense that we at PK9H feel shouldn’t be left solely on his handler, who is currently trying to transition from his military career to his new civilian job. Our nonprofit organization has been and will continue to provide for this K-9 Hero at 100% for the remainder of his life.
K-9 Mattis Needed $8,000 of Emergency Care
K-9 Mattis is well known across Tik Tok and Instagram for his antics with his handler Mark. His friendly nature makes him a wonderful ambassador to the public, and Mark often takes Mattis out to meet adults and children to talk about how Project K-9 Hero has helped them have more years together.
In 2022, Mattis suddenly fell ill. Mark was told he had bloat and that he may not survive the night. Our founder called the veterinarians and told them to do whatever they had to to save Mattis. All the medical burden was removed from Mark's shoulders, and he was able to focus on his best friend. Mattis survived and continues to do his important outreach in the communities talking about how necessary Police K-9s are in keeping our citizens safe.
MWD Rroddie Needs Monthly Medical Care
During Rroddie’s eight-year career, he was attached to multiple U.S. Army Special Forces Teams (ODA) while in Afghanistan. Rroddie also served with the Special OperationsTask Force 1 in Iraq. He completed over two dozen USSS (Secret Service) missions, both internationally and domestically, and was responsible for protecting the President of the United States
in Montenegro, Chile, Columbia, the Philippines, Korea, and in countless cities across the USA!
In retirement, MWD Rroddie has been diagnosed with Vestibular Syndrome (seizures), and underwent a Splenectomy due to a large mass found on his spleen. The expensive veterinary visits and prescription medications will not be covered by the Government or the U.S. Military. So far, the cost for Rroddie's surgeries and care has been thousands of dollars and continues to grow each month. This is an extreme expense that we at PK9H feel shouldn’t be left solely on his handler, who is currently trying to transition from his military career to his new civilian job. Our nonprofit organization has been and will continue to provide for this K-9 Hero at 100% for the remainder of his life.
K-9 Mattis Needed $8,000 of Emergency Care
K-9 Mattis is well known across Tik Tok and Instagram for his antics with his handler Mark. His friendly nature makes him a wonderful ambassador to the public, and Mark often takes Mattis out to meet adults and children to talk about how Project K-9 Hero has helped them have more years together.
In 2022, Mattis suddenly fell ill. Mark was told he had bloat and that he may not survive the night. Our founder called the veterinarians and told them to do whatever they had to to save Mattis. All the medical burden was removed from Mark's shoulders, and he was able to focus on his best friend. Mattis survived and continues to do his important outreach in the communities talking about how necessary Police K-9s are in keeping our citizens safe.