THE ERIC FLESHER FUND
Eric Flesher was a wonderful person who loved animals.
In his memory, we have established
The Eric Flesher Fund
for Animals Who are Hurt
and Whose Owners Don't Have
Enough Money to Help Them
for Animals Who are Hurt
and Whose Owners Don't Have
Enough Money to Help Them
This is not a registered charity, but rather a pool of money entrusted to the Pet Medical Center- Chatoak where Eric worked.
The Chatoak center has a great staff, and Eric loved working there. He would often talk about cases where people would bring in their beloved pets with injuries or disease. In some incredibly sad circumstances the pets could not be saved because no money was available for the procedures required. It would break Eric's heart to see this.
To honor Eric's commitment to helping animals and his compassion for these pets and their people who couldn't afford to help them, we (Eric's family and friends) decided to create this fund.
If you would like to donate to this cause in Eric's memory, please make your check out to: Pet Medical Center - Chatoak
and in the memo please add: Eric Flesher Fund
and mail it to:
Pet Medical Center - Chatoak
Eric Flesher Fund
17659 Chatsworth Street
Granada Hills, CA 91344
Your contributions are not tax deductible, but please know that your gifts will be used only for those cases that Eric cared about so much. As Chatoak receives donations, just the names of the donors will be shared with us, so we'll be able to send our thanks to you. We will also be posting stories about the animals who have been helped here on this blog.
We know that Eric would be happy that these animals will be helped in his name. Thanks SO MUCH to all of the wonderful people who have donated to the fund, helped these animals, and helped us to keep Eric's memory alive and well. Read about the animals who have been helped so far!
Update: March 2011
Cheebs Gets Her Operation!
To Eric's family:
Her name is Chibi but we always call her Cheebs. She is my 14 yr. old Lhasa Apso. In January she was diagonosed w/ severe glaucoma, possibly due to cancer. Her right eye had gotten bloodshot and swollen. I didn't catch it early because her hair usually half covers her eyes. In fact she is just a pile of walking hair but such a lovable one!
My veterinarian Dr. Senta Edesa-Belding advised that we remove Cheebs' eye but when I heard the cost it just knocked me back. I had used the Care Credit program a year previous but there was still an outstanding balance and this time the interest-free period wouldn't be nearly as long. When I mentioned my financial situation Dr. Edesa-Belding informed me of the Eric Flesher Fund and how they might possibly help.
Dr. Edesa-Belding performed an expert job and the assistance I got from Eric's fund helped to pay the operation. Without it I began to wonder if Cheebs had come to the end of her life. Thankfully she was able to be saved and I will be forever grateful.
Cheebs still barks when hungry, gives her low growl when she needs to go out and even pirouettes for dinner---without any commands! Thank you so much Dr. Edesa-Belding, the Chatoak staff and to the family of Eric Flesher. I truly appreciate all of your care and help through this difficult time.
And my belated condolences to the Flesher family. I'm sure Eric was a very special young man to inspire such a compassionate foundation that benefits pet owners in need. We are all so appreciative of your generous help.
Sincerely,
James I.
Update: March, 2010
Toby Makes Full Recovery!
Dear Flesher Family,
First of all, I would like to say that I am very sorry for your loss. The people at Chatoak speak very highly of Eric. He must have been extraordinary. I respect you a great deal for creating and managing your fund in his name. It seems to be a fitting tribute to the things that were important to him in life.
I also would like to thank you for using some of that fund money to help us to help our dog, Toby to get well. Your donation made a big difference to us and our ability to help her. Toby suffered what we think was a sudden onset acute attack of pancreatitis. We only had a few minutes to identify that she needed help and to get her to Chatoak. By the time we arrived late on a Friday night, she was critical and unresponsive and we weren’t sure if we were going to be able to save her. The staff at Chatoak performed a miracle and over the next few days stabilized her, diagnosed her and put her on the road to recovery. When we took her home a few days later, she could barely stand and could not walk or eat unassisted. Today, less than a week later, she is running after her ball almost completely normal. She is well on the road to making a full recovery.
Toby is a 10 year old Australian Cattle Dog. Some people know them better as blue healers. She has been my constant companion since one of my best friends gave her to me when she was a puppy. Toby has been across the United States with me several times; she is quite the traveler. She attended our wedding and came with us on our honeymoon. She is the smartest dog I’ve ever worked with. She is obedient to requests spoken in English, French, and Russian, as well as hand signs. She knows her left from her right. And, she will retrieve things I’ve dropped for me when my hands are full – even if I don’t notice until we are a block away.
Once when we were out at a barn Toby came to get me very upset. It was obvious that she wanted me to follow her. She almost speaks English herself. I followed her and she led me to a rabbit that was caught in some wire. She pushed the rabbit with her nose as if to try and get it out and then stood there to watch me. I was able to free the little thing who was undoubtedly terrified at having a dog nosing it, but after a bit of shock, it hopped away hopefully to live a long life itself and to avoid the next wire fence.
Now, because of the talented staff at Chatoak and your generous donation Toby is back to taking care of our family, and patrolling our yard to make sure the squirrels, skunks, and raccoons follow the rules she enforces. I am very grateful for your help and the part your family has played in her recovery. Thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely,
The Terris Family
Kris, Ciaran, Toby, Alexander (5), and Riordain (4)
Update: January, 2010
Eric's Fund Helps Billy to Recover!
I met our cat Billy when another older cat of ours died at the age of 20 years old. We decided at that time, that in her honor we would adopt the oldest cat currently in residence at the West Valley shelter and so we adopted Billy from the West Valley Shelter He was about age ten. Billy was a stray and had been doomed to die until our intervention. About one year later he suddenly became ill and we brought him to Chat Oak, where we took all of our other companion animals. We knew that he would receive the best care there under the care of Dr. Jackson our regular veterinarian and Dr. Wertheimer who was on duty on New Years Day. We are very lucky to be involved with this practice for many, many years. They checked Billy out and kept him for a while and discovered what was wrong and put him on a special diet and medication and now he is thriving. I feel very fortunate to go to a veterinary practice where I have so much confidence in what they do. Since we did not have all of the funds for his cure, we where told about the Eric Flesher Fund and want to thank you so much for contributing to Billy’s care.
Of course I always have to thank Dr. Jackson for her continued expertise, compassion and Loving kindness for each and every companion animal that comes under her care. Our family loves her.
As a parent of two sons, I cannot imagine your grief about loosing something as precious as a child. I also cannot find words to convey to you how extraordinary was the way you chose to honor him and his commitment to the animals he loved so much. If I was not longer on this earth I want someone to honor me that way you have chosen to honor Eric because saving and caring for our four legged friends is what is in my heart and it is how I have spent my life as well. So just thank you for how you have helped us.
Marlene Goodman
Update: December, 2009
Cinder's Miracle!
Our Holiday Miracle
To Eric’s family,
Thank you so much for helping Cinder and my husband and myself.
I’ve had Cinder for almost 15 years now, and I just can’t picture my life without her. My mother gave Cinder to me to more or less keep me out of trouble the very first summer I stayed home by myself, and she did! I actually don’t think her feet ever touched the ground that summer, I carried her everywhere. And now she is the wonderful, spoiled baby that I love and, admittedly, created.
I am currently a student at America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, learning how to train and care for exotic animals. This 2 year long program can require up to 12 hour days, 7 days a week so I’m not currently working. When my husband and I realized that Cinder had cancerous tumors we thought that this was the end. We knew that there was no way we could afford the surgery to remove the tumors and give her a chance. We knew that it was only going to be a matter time before we would have to make a difficult decision to say goodbye.
Then we were told about a wonderful foundation in your son’s name. Thanks to the Eric Flesher Fund Cinder was able to have her surgery just 2 days before Christmas…it was like our own Christmas miracle! Now less than a week after the removal of 3 tumors, my spoiled baby is back to normal. She even has my husband wrapped around her little paw!
I can’t begin to tell you how sorry we are for your loss of Eric, however, the fact that so many animals and families are helped in his name must bring you great happiness.
We would also like to thank Dr. Edesa and the entire staff at Pet Medical Center-Chatoak. All of you have been taking such great care of Cinder for many years now and this little Christmas miracle of ours would not have happened without your help, your support, or your unconditional love of animals.
With never ending thank you’s and love,
~Brian, Jessica, & Cinder Dartt
Update: December, 2009
Lucy Gets Her Operation!
Dear Eric's Family,
We wanted to thank you for helping out our family so that Lucy could have the surgery she so desperately needed. Since rescuing Lucy so many years ago, she has always been full of life and loves to be active and run around as much as possible. Even though she is a senior now, she still likes to think she is a puppy. Unfortunately, one day, it got the best of her and the ligament in her knee tore when she was racing around in the backyard with Charlie (our other fur baby). She was in such pain and we just couldn't bear the thought of not being able to have Dr. Morshead perform the surgery.
Because of the ever so generous gift from the Eric Flesher Fund, Lucy was able to have her surgery and does not have to limp around in horrible pain anymore. Thank you so much for helping us do what needed to be done for our beloved family member.
We are very saddened for your loss of Eric, however, we know it gives you great joy to know that so many families are helped and saved in his name.
We would also like to thank Dr. Morshead and his awesome staff for providing such impeccable and heartfelt care for Lucy. The Chatoak Pet Medical Center is a huge asset to the community.
With love,
Drew, Monica, & Elijah Silver
With licks, paw shakes and wet noses,
Lucy & Charlie
Update: November, 2009
Eric's Fund Helps Yogi Get Better!
To Eric's Family,
Thank you so much for helping Yogi and our family. After he was injured, our family struggled with the decision to have the important surgery that will no doubt save him and his quality of life. We, like many other families today, face the daily reality of losing our jobs and income. My husband is in banking and the layoffs at his work are an overwhelming day to day concern. With our oldest daughter just starting colledge, we didn't have the necessary funds for this operation. It was toruruous to see a beloved member of our household limping and in constant pain. Our pets give us so much love and loyalty and ask us for very little in return. It is very heartwarming to know that there are people in the world that do care about animals and their quality of life. I realy don't know what we would have done if we hadn't received your generous gift.
We would also like to thank Dr. Morshead and the incredible staff of the Pet Medical Center. They are so warm and caring. We know Yogi is getting the best care possible.
With Thanks and warmest regards,
The Condon Family
Update: November, 2009
Chase Tyler Gets Life-Saving Treatment!
My name is Chase Tyler Cantell. I am a rescue dog about 12 years old. I have a strong will to overcome much adversity. I had a bad ear infection in May, and then I took some medicine which made me very sick and caused my kidneys to shut down.
I want to thank all the wonderful staff at Chatoak Pet Center and the Eric Flesher Fund for helping to give me a second chance. With the love and good care I received at Chatoak from the Doctors :-) Techs :-) Night Staff :-) and Girls at the front desk :-) I am doing better and still fighting hard to have a remarkable recovery!
Lots of love and thanks to the Eric Flesher Fund and Chatoak Pet Center for helping my mom give me the care and love I needed. Eric is my angel looking over me.
Thank you,
Chase Tyler Cantwell.
Special thank yous to all the staff and doctors who made this possible... and Eric's loving family.
Love, Janie
Casey Gets His Surgery!
Angels in Fur Dog Rescue would like to thank the Eric Flesher Fund for supporting Casey in his knee surgery. Eric's love of animals has once again saved a dog's life. Casey needed two very expensive knee surgeries. The funds provided has placed Casey on the road to recovery. He's in a loving foster home waiting for a forever home.
Thank you Eric for your big heart. Thank you Chatoak for your support of all of our animals. We appreciate your help, care and love of animals more than you realize.
All the best,
Rachelle Lynn
Update: January 2009
John Boy gets second chance!
My Name is Bernabe R. Vasquez. My dog's name is John Boy. First of all we would like to thank the Eric Flesher Foundation, family and friends for their help. It really means a lot to us.
I have a little story to share with you about my dog John Boy. Five years ago i had a heart attack. I was on the phone in my living room. John Boy jumped on the sofa, put his head on my shoulder like he was sad, then he started to scratch with his paw on my chest. I told him to get down - I'm on the phone, not knowing when I hung up the phone I was going to have this sharp pain on my chest. After 10-15 minutes it was really hurting. I dial 911. Yeh! He knew I was having a heart attack. Now you know how special John Boy is to me. He saved my life, how can I not save his? There was no way I could put him to sleep.
Now John Boy has a few words of thanks.
Hi! Ruff, ruff! My name is John Boy. I was born November 1st, 1997, in the city of Shadow Hills, CA. I am a Chinese Shar-pei. I've been with my Daddy Bernie in Sylmar, CA, since Dec. 23rd 1997. He is the best daddy. I've never been sick before - this was the first time. On May22nd 2008 I was rushed to Chatoak Pet Clinic late at night. I wasn't feeling well. The doctors checked me and gave my daddy the bad news. They had to either put me to sleep or emergency surgery. They said the surgery is very expensive. Daddy said how much and they said around $5000-6000. I head my daddy say what!! He asked if you do perform the surgery, what's his chance of living and how long? The doctor said around 3 years - he is already 10 years old. Daddy said OK! Do it! I'll find a way to pay for it.
Well the doctors did it and and now after a few rough days I'm doing fine. Now my Daddy's wallet is sick. Ha ha! Every day I think my Daddy for a second chance at life. I'm happy and healthy and running around again. Thanks to the good care I received from Dr. Donald Morshead, Dr. Linda Jackson, Dr. Senta Edesa and the wonderful staff that gave me so much love, care, and attention. I love you all. Thanks, thanks, thanks!
-John Boy
Update: July, 2008
Read the LA Daily News account of how Eric's Fund helped to save
Kaiser the Dog!
And then read how Kaiser was reunited with his person!
And here is the KTLA TV News story covering the whole event!
Update: April, 2008
Annie Helped by Eric's Fund!
To The Eric Flesher Foundation,
My name is Brigitte Baratta and I’m fourteen years old. My dog Annie is a Chihuahua and she had Hydrometre. Thanks to you my dog is still here with my family and myself today.
When my mom took Annie into the doctors because she was having a lot of seizures they told us that they could help us, but it was going to cost twelve hundred dollars. After she was doing much better and seizure free we went in again and they told us that she had an infection called Hydrometre and it was going to cost another seven hundred dollars. Being a single mother and having to take care of two kids on her own my mom Lisa didn’t have enough money after already paying for the first bill, so she was just going to have to take Annie home and let what happens happen. They told her that there was a man named Eric Flesher whose family had put aside money for people that couldn’t really pay for your animal’s surgery, and this meant so much for us! Now Annie is back to her normal, happy self and it is so wonderful to see, and knowing that she’s not in any pain anymore and can live the rest of her life as a happy dog. My family and I would just really like to say thank you so much for helping our dog Annie because without her our family would not be the same.
Thanks again love,
Lisa, Brigitte, and Tiffany Baratta
To The Eric Flesher Foundation,
My name is Brigitte Baratta and I’m fourteen years old. My dog Annie is a Chihuahua and she had Hydrometre. Thanks to you my dog is still here with my family and myself today.
When my mom took Annie into the doctors because she was having a lot of seizures they told us that they could help us, but it was going to cost twelve hundred dollars. After she was doing much better and seizure free we went in again and they told us that she had an infection called Hydrometre and it was going to cost another seven hundred dollars. Being a single mother and having to take care of two kids on her own my mom Lisa didn’t have enough money after already paying for the first bill, so she was just going to have to take Annie home and let what happens happen. They told her that there was a man named Eric Flesher whose family had put aside money for people that couldn’t really pay for your animal’s surgery, and this meant so much for us! Now Annie is back to her normal, happy self and it is so wonderful to see, and knowing that she’s not in any pain anymore and can live the rest of her life as a happy dog. My family and I would just really like to say thank you so much for helping our dog Annie because without her our family would not be the same.
Thanks again love,
Lisa, Brigitte, and Tiffany Baratta
Update:
Gertrude Healthy Thanks to Eric's Fund!
I wanted to thank Chatoak for the generous contribution from the Eric Flesher Fund for the desperately needed medical care of our precious dog, Gertrude. We would not have been able to save Gertrude’s life without this financial assistance!I was terrified when I came home one day to find Gertrude’s abdomen completely bloated. Fearing the worst, I ran to the Chatoak emergency. When the doctors mentioned she needed emergency surgery or would not survive the night I did not hesitate to authorize her care. I was told the cost would run between $4000 and $5600. The initial cost was actually more than we could afford since we just had a baby, but Gertrude is also our “baby” and deserved great care.
When Dr. Wertenberger suggested another surgery just a few days later, I spent 30 minutes crying trying to figure out where on earth we could ever come up with more money to cover the cost. I asked the doctor if there was any way we could have some relief on the bill or we would be unable to authorize further care and she mentioned Eric’s Fund. Apparently the cost for the 5 days in the hospital topped over $7700, far over the original estimate! If we had not had the assistance of the generous donation supplied by Eric’s Fund, I do not believe Gertrude would be alive today.
I am so sorry for the loss of Eric whom I never had the pleasure to meet. Please be comforted knowing that his life and love of animals has helped several families such as my own. I will be forever grateful.
Kind Regards,
Jillian Walker (aka Gertrude’s Mama)
Update: November 21, 2007
Eric's Fund Saves Sammy!
Our story began two years ago when I had promised my family that we would adopt a dog once the 2007 school year started. We had planned to move to a house with a larger yard and settle there until our boys finished high school. We had made a few offers on just such a property that luckily were not accepted as our real estate business had slowed to a crawl. Even though our finances had become very hard-pressed and we had no business adding the costs of a dog to our budget, I did not want to go back on my promise to our boys.
After spending countless hours online looking at dogs and considering the type of breed that would best fit our family, we searched and searched and visited with several dogs with no luck. Finally we found just the right puppy at the animal shelter on Plummer. We all immediately fell in love with her and named her Sammy. That was it--she was our dog!
The day had finally arrived. Sammy was coming home! We picked her up from the vet’s office that spayed and vaccinated her on Sunday, September 30th. By Wednesday she back at the vet’s office not doing very well. Thursday night she became very ill and we rushed her to Chatoak for treatment. By the end of the first week we had spent a thousand dollars in veterinary bills trying to find out what was wrong.
On Monday October 8th she tested positive for the canine Parvo virus. Just four days prior, the test was negative and so the virus went untreated and had advanced to the point that she had a slim chance of surviving. We were devastated. Although the virus is treatable, too much time had gone by before it was diagnosed and we were advised that she would probably be dead before the treatment had a chance to begin working. Given the fact that the treatment was very expensive and that she would probably not survive even with hospitalization, the veterinarian suggested that we put her to sleep. Sammy had suffered so much already; this seemed to be the best option.
I left Chatoak’s office to discuss this with my wife. Not only had we already fallen completely in love with Sammy, we also realized that if she did not live there would not be another dog for us. We could not afford the bills we had already paid and realized there would be no way we could justify a new dog. We decided that, although it was just not possible for us to pay to have her hospitalized, we were going to take her home and do everything we could to help her, even if it meant that she would die there in our arms.
When I went back to Chatoak to bring Sammy home, Dr. Edesa told me about a memorial fund set up by the family of their friend and coworker, Eric, who had loved and cared for animals at Chatoak. The fund was designed to help families like us pay for veterinary bills for their sick pets. With the financial help of Eric’s memorial fund, we brought Sammy home with all the medications and tools to give her a fighting chance. The staff showed me how to give her an IV, give her shots, and how to feed her with a syringe. We cared for Sammy around the clock . Within a few days, she was eating and drinking on her own and even running around the house. Today, Sammy is all puppy and all ours, but most importantly, alive and well.
Without the financial help from Eric’s memorial fund, the help from Dr. Edesa and the staff at Chatoak, it is highly unlikely that Sammy would be with us today. Sammy is loved and adored by our entire family. We simply cannot express the gratitude we feel for the help we received to save Sammy’s life.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sincerely,
Todd and Barbara Baker
Jake, Brian, and Stephanie …and Sammy.
Update: December 27, 2007
Princess Saved by Eric's Fund!
Here is the note we received from Daisy's father:
To whom it may concern:
Our dog Princess is a three year old Chihuahua, and she is one of the most beautiful of the breed. She was given to us by a friend of the family when she was only two months old, and she has been, along with our other two dogs, a loved member of the family.
Princess is a cheerful, smart dog. She can understand what one means when she’s spoken to and is very comforting when anybody is feeling down. She has snow white fur with a strange, yet unique, pair of eyes. See one is blue and the other one is black, and it’s one of the many things that make Princess, Princess.
Recently, she became pregnant for the third time. We were much excited about her third letter until the night she went into labor. She had two beautiful puppies, but she was suppose to have four. She did not seem well the two days after she gave birth to a male and a female, so we decided to take her to Pet Medical Center Chataok in Granada Hills, CA. There we found out that the other two puppies died in her stomach, and she needed a very expensive surgery.
Our family has very few money to spare, and we could not afford the services that Princess required. All we had was five hundred dollars, but we managed to get three hundred more from family members. With only eight hundred dollars, it was still not enough to cover the expenses. Pet Medical Center Chatoak told us about a kind of fund donated by the family of a deceased staff member for families like ourselves. Thanks to the people who donated this money, Princess was able to get the medical attention that she desperately needed, and the Silva family will be forever grateful of what Pet Medical Center Chataok in Granada Hills, and the donors of this money have done for us and our dog.
Sincerely,
Ricardo Silva
