Cornell University Veterinary Specialists Honors Courageous Companions

First-Of-Its-Kind Veterinary Hospital Honors Those Who Fought Medical Odds to Survive

“Courageous Companions” and Pet Owners are
Celebrated for Bravery

Stamord, CT-- On March 23 at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists (CUVS), the first of its kind, university-affiliated, specialty and emergency veterinary hospital in the tri-state area, there was a special reunion.  Dozens of “Courageous Companions,” along with their families and caregivers, gathered to honor the remarkable bravery these animals showed and to learn more about the high tech medical advancements that helped each overcome their life-threatening challenges.  Most of today’s honorees were on the verge of death and beat the odds due to the specialized care and sophisticated procedures provided by CUVS.  The facility offers some remarkable advanced treatments to improve the quality of animals’ lives. 

“We take the latest advances in veterinary medicine and direct them toward delivering the best possible outcomes for pets,” said Dr. Susan Hackner, Chief Medical
Officer at CUVS, and a board-certified specialist in both Internal Medicine and in Emergency-Critical Care.  “We bring together the expertise of top clinical specialists from a variety of disciplines together with a highly trained and incredibly caring nursing staff to ensure patients
are optimally cared for.. We then develop a collaborative pathway to diagnosis and treatment by working closely with the pet’s family and primary care veterinarian. “Our collaborative approach has already saved thousands of pets, and this model of care will continue to provide hope for animals will serious illnesses or conditions,” she added. 

The surgery performed by CUVS for Mr. Blue Powell, a 135-pound Newfoundland, enables him to continue his
special job serving some very special youngsters.  Mr. Blue is back working as a therapy dog helping
young children with psychological challenges. In fact, he recently helped with trauma therapy for children affected by the Sandy Hook school tragedy. When Mr.
Blue was first brought into CUVS, he was in incredible pain and virtually unable to walk due to ligament tears in both his knees. A CUVS surgeon performed a corrective surgery known as a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy). This orthopedic surgeon realigned the bone and fused sections with a plate and screws in such a way to bypass the torn ligaments..  Mr. Blue has regained all mobility and now is pain free.   

“He’s my bionic boy.  My husband had two knee
replacements to keep walking.  Now he and
Mr. Blue are back walking due to some futuristic medical procedures to get each of them moving again.  It is remarkable,” said Addie Powell of New Canaan and Mr. Blue’s owner.  “Mr. Blue is a most treasured member of our family and the caring staff at CUVS has given him a new lease on life,” she added.

CUVS has redefined how the sickest and most medically challenged dogs and cats are helped using an innovative approach to veterinary medicine.  Some call the facility the “Mayo Clinic for pets” because it integrates the latest medical advances, care and knowledge for the best possible outcomes.  The facility has been recognized for its “concierge” level of client service, with a personalized, collaborative and compassionate commitment to the best care along with providing the best methods of communicating with pets’ families to navigate
during this stressful time. This type of consistent and clear communication also helps steer the case to a successful outcome, according to CUVS staff.

“Communication and collaboration are vital aspects of positive medical outcomes. Together with our focus on outstanding and individualized medicine, we are dedicated to open communication with everyone – the patient’s family, their primary care veterinarian, and all the specialists and staff at CUVS. In this way, we ensure
that everyone is working together seamlessly, that the pet’s family is an educated and informed member of the medical team, and that the patient has the best possible chance for success,” added Dr. Hackner.

CUVS was founded in 2011 after Dean Michael Kotlikoff of the top-rated Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine saw a need to expand the College’s role in helping pets with serious injuries and illnesses in the Tri-State area. Kotlikoff’s vision was to develop a model of care that combined the cutting-edge technology and medical expertise of academic veterinary medicine
with the efficiency and client-orientation of the private sector. At CUVS, numerous specialists confer on the best course of treatment using the latest technology
and medicine.  Since its inception in 2011, CUVS has employed the latest high-tech procedures in orthopedics, cardiology, critical care, internal medicine, ophthalmology, oncology and even minimally invasive surgery for repairing anything from bladder stones to a heart valve,
and helping thousands of animals.  

CUVS is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and is continuously staffed by a highly trained team of specialists, emergency veterinarians, and technicians. Visit www.cuvs.org.