Fond du Lac County K-9 undergoes surgery; yellow lab is hero of day
K-9 Iro, Dwyer
FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. - A Fond du Lac County K-9 is on the mend after undergoing a lengthy surgery on Sunday, Oct. 15 – and he owes some of the credit to the dog owned by a veterinary technician.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that K-9 Iro is in serious but stable condition after the surgery Sunday afternoon. They said, "He is by no means out of the woods, but he’s a young, healthy, strong dog and his team of specialists are doing everything they can to help him." They are encouraged because K-9 Iro was "awake and alert enough Sunday morning to recognize his deputy handler, and he even got to spend a little time gnawing on his favorite toy (a tennis ball) before surgery."
The other hero of the day is Dwyer -- a yellow lab owned by one of the hospital veterinary technicians. As it turns out, Dwyer’s blood type was a match to K-9 Iro – and the vet tech and Dwyer wanted to donate his blood to help. Officials say the transfusion worked, and blood counts rose to levels needed to undergo the surgery.
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How can you help?
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office has received numerous questions about how to donate to the K-9 program to help cover the cost of medical bills, follow-up services, and to support other K-9 teams. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office K-9 program is 100% donor funded.
If you would like to donate to support these teams, write a check to "FDL Sheriff K-9 Program" and mail to:
FDL Sheriff K-9 Program
PO Box 1273
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1273
Additionally, if you prefer to donate in person with a check or by credit card, donations can be processed at our lobby window at 180 S. Macy Street, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., or over the phone by calling 920-929-3372.