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Health & Fitness

Newtown Veterinary Specialists Donates Pet Oxygen Masks to Honor Beloved Dog

On April 23, Newtown Veterinary Specialists (NVS) donated three new pet oxygen masks to the Wilton Fire Department to help firefighters save the lives of animals rescued from burning buildings.

The masks, in sizes small, medium and large, are specially designed to fit the faces of animals. To equip the fire department's ladder truck, the masks were donated in honor of Lexi, a beloved 16-year-old Black Labrador Retriever that sadly passed away on March 6 at NVS. Lexi was the pet of Ralph Nathanson, who is the Wilton Fire Department's apparatus supervisor, and his family. 

Bernadette Vinci, MS, Director of Hospital Operations at NVS said,  "Lexi was such a wonderful dog and we are very saddened by her passing. Lexi had the heart of a service dog. She always wanted to help others. By donating pet oxygen masks in her memory, we honor Lexi while helping our hero firefighters save the lives of more animals."

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Ralph Nathanson explained, "We will try to save anything that is breathing. It's great to be able to keep pet oxygen masks in different sizes available in our ladder truck. We're going to do everything we can to save an animal. We know how important pets are as part of the family."

Lexi was adopted from Wyoming as a small pup. At an early age she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. As a result, she had a little "bunny hop" whenever she ran. The Nathanson family  made the commitment early on to provide her with the most complete veterinary care throughout her life. "She had everything she needed," Ralph Nathanson said. "Life was like one big backyard for her. Everyone loved her. All the neighbors on our block would come by to visit her. My children and grandchildren grew up with her. Her favorite place was on the front of our boat. Lexi was always giving back to people and she still is. She had a golden heart and was the ultimate animal."

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The staff at NVS met Lexi on her last day of life when the family had to make the difficult decision to end her suffering. "Lexi let us know it was the right time, even then she thought of us," Ralph Nathanson said. "Although it was our first time at NVS, we felt right away that we had known the staff all along. They really sympathized with us and did everything they could to help us at this very difficult time."

To further honor Lexi's legacy and help more pets, NVS is rolling out a new program to donate pet oxygen masks to other fire departments throughout Fairfield County.

Newtown Veterinary Specialists is a 24-hour veterinary emergency and critical care hospital located at 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, CT. The facility offers leading-edge medical and surgical care for pets that are injured or suffer from complex diseases and conditions that require the advanced training of a board-certified specialist. NVS features sophisticated diagnostic equipment, the latest treatment methods, and around-the-clock patient monitoring. The doctors collaborate closely with the family veterinarian to ensure complete, effective and coordinated pet care. Open 365 days a year, NVS is celebrating its second anniversary in May. For more information about the hospital visit www.newtownvets.com.

 


  





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