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Washington: The touching photograph of a man wading in Lake Superior in
Wisconsin with his arthritic dog captured millions of hearts and
an outpouring of donations after it was posted online last month,
allowing the dog's owner to get veterinarian treatments and start
a foundation to help other dogs in need.
"Schoep is doing incredible right now," said 49-year-old John
Unger of his 19-year-old shepherd mix. "The therapies that the
people have donated - it's like turning back the clock a year and
a half."
Schoep wasn't sleeping through the night and had problems walking
because of his worsening condition, so Unger would take Schoep
into the lake on a regular basis, providing the animal with relief
from his arthritis.
The bond between Unger and Schoep was captured by photographer
Hannah Stonehouse Hudson July 31, when she photographed the moment
the trusting dog fell asleep in his owner's arms after the
buoyancy of Lake Superior's warm waters soothed his arthritic
bones.
More than $25,000 in donations poured in from people as far away
as Japan and Saudi Arabia, who were in awe of the photograph
posted on Facebook that displayed the unbreakable bond between
Unger and his canine companion.
The contributions have helped Unger give Schoep the necessary
joint laser therapy treatments needed to aid his debilitating
arthritis and extend his life.
"Without treatment, John and I were talking about euthanasia at
the end of July," Erik Haukass, Schoep's veterinarian, told the
Daily Mail.
Schoep's Legacy Foundation was created after Unger and Haukuss
"realized we had received more money than we would reasonably
spend on Schoep's care," the veterinarian said. The laser therapy
treatment costs $200 per session.
The foundation will help low-income families care for their aging
canines and "could help another 30 or 40 Schoeps," Haukass said.
The foundation will also help families spay and neuter new pets.
"The idea is to pay it forward; give it to other organizations, to
help out other animals in the area and use the money in the spirit
it was given," Haukass said.
"The fact that I have taken a photo that has made this many people
remember and feel love is more than I could ever, possibly hope
for. Use it, channel it, pay it forward. Do good things," Hudson
wrote on the official Facebook fan page of Schoep and John.
Unger, who has owned Schoep since he was eight-months-old, has
been posting pictures and updates of his dog's progress on the
Facebook page, keeping over 80,000 fans abreast of the details of
Schoep's vet visits.
"Good morning! The week is off to a great start. Schoep is
fantastic! Active, alert, happy--waggin his tail with vigor! Next
laser therapy appointment is this Wednesday. I cannot tell you how
much Schoep has improved since starting this process. And, he
seems to really enjoy it!," was the latest post on the Schoep and
John Facebook page Monday.
The Schoep's Legacy Foundation also has a website that allows
visitors to make donations and purchase prints, T-shirts and other
gifts of the photo that "turned into an internet love fest, and an
incredible adventure", the website stated.
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