Mickey's Kids Canine Gets Vet Care for Life from Oradell Animal Hospital

The Mickey's Kids Canine Assistance family has welcomed its newest four-legged member - Fanta, a seizure response dog who recently joined young Gabriel Sims and his family - the latest recipient of the foundation which raises funds to provide these special dogs for children in need. 

Fanta's role is to be a companion to Gabriel who has a seizure disorder. She is trained to detect the onset of a seizure helping to prevent an episode. In the short time since Fanta has come home with the family, Gabriel's mom Lola tells Mickey's Kids founders Tom and Michele Meli they are already seeing an improvement. 

There's more good news as Fanta continues to settle into the Elmwood Park family - she is getting lifetime veterinarian care from Oradell Animal Hospital. The Paramus based veterinarian facility which also has a branch in Hasbrouck Heights will provide all health care for Fanta at no charge to the Sims family. 

Park Ridge Animal Hospital has also chipped in donating lifetime preventative care for Fanta which includes medications such as Frontline and Heartgard courtesy of Dr. Donna Manderino, Michele Meli explained. 

The Melis greeted the Sims family at the Oradell Animal Hospital on Monday as Dr. John DeVries gave Fanta her very first check up. 

The Hasbrouck Heights based foundation works year round to raise funds to be able to sponsor a Canine Assistance dog for a youngster in need. These special dogs are trained as service dogs or seizure response dogs. They can respond to up to 99 commands and are able to open doors and pick things up for children who are wheel-chair bound. 

It costs roughly $25,000 to raise and train a Canine Assistants dog. Each year Mickey's Kids strives to sponsor 1 or 2 dogs for children on the waiting list.

The Mickey's Kids Foundation is already gearing up for its next gala event, its main annual fundraiser, scheduled for March 28, 2014 at Ill Villagio in Carlstadt.