Giving to Purdue

An Everyday Hero

When most of us think of a hero, we think first-responders or those who react in an instant to help in a situation. But by all accounts, the late Virginia Stanchik was – and still is – a hero in her own right.

A client of Purdue’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Stanchik recognized the need for all animals to have the care they need and in the early 90s, created the Stanchik Fund for Ill and Injured Animals. Her love for animals and philanthropic spirit is allowing VTH to provide financial assistance to help defray the cost of necessary veterinary care for owners who face a hardship.

With assistance from the Stanchik Fund, a family under financial burden was able to pay for the treatment of their 5½-year old greyhound. The dog was taken to VTH with multiple problems and it was determined he had a gall bladder rupture and needed surgery to remove it. The dog made a full recovery and will not have any long-term effects from the illness. Because of the Stanchik Fund, the kids were able to spend another Christmas with their best friend.

Bob and Christine Franey are true believers in VTH. That is why they took their Clumber spaniel, Soda, there for a lifesaving spinal surgery. Able to pay for the care that gave Soda an extra five years, they recognized not everyone is able to afford the veterinary care their pets need.

When their faithful companion passed away in July 2011, the Franeys made a decision to honor her life and those of their friends’ pets by giving to the Stanchik Fund. “We know there are people who love their pets dearly and need the help,” they said.

Becky Hershey, director of development for the College of Veterinary Medicine, explained, “People need to have access to great veterinary care and they can find it at Purdue VTH. We do not want people to watch their pets suffer needlessly. The Stanchik Fund subsidizes expenses for services that help the pet go on to live a healthy life. That is what this fund is all about.”

Purdue’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Stanchik Fund are heroes to our animal friends in need. This is news to whinny, wag, purr or crow about!