2nd Annual IRONDOG 5k Helps Families with Veterinary Expenses

Posted April 02, 2012

More than 500 participants and hundreds of dogs raise money for injured dogs

Start of the 2012 IRONDOG 5K

On Saturday, March 31, more than 500 runners and walkers—some with their companion animals—gathered at the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Center for Comparative Oncology on the Michigan State University campus. The 2nd annual IRONDOG 5k Run/Walk raised funds to support the medical care of companion animals hospitalized at MSU.

As with human medicine, the cost of advanced veterinarian care can be high, and sometimes effective treatment options are available, yet not affordable. To help offset the cost of this care, the IRONDOG Fund was born.

Vet students at the IRONDOG

Vet students at the IRONDOG 5K

“The IRONDOG Fund’s main goal is to help animals and their families as they go through a tough medical and financial situation,” said Christian Weder. The fourth year vet student and Matthew Beal, DVM and director of Emergency and Critical Care Services at the CVM Veterinary Medical Center, launched the IRONDOG Fund through the VMC in 2010.

In the last year, the IRONDOG Fund contributed more than $20,000 toward the treatment costs for more than 20 pets and service dogs.

IRONDOG organizers left to right: Christian Weder, Bianca Buffa, and Matt Beal

“We’ve had entire veterinary practices, office staff, and people of all ages and fitness levels join Team IRONDOG,” said Beal. “It’s a great way to work toward personal fitness and wellness goals while contributing to the recovery process for critically ill companion animals.”

IRONDOG also held a 5k last month in North Carolina, and a team of participants raced in the Detroit Marathon in October 2011.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Nestle-Purina, nearly 100 percent of registration fees were directed into the IRONDOG Fund. Playmakers was present at the event and the Michigan Running Foundation provided chip timing for the participants.

To learn more about the IRONDOG Fund, how to get involved, and how to contribute, see www.irondogfund.org. Be sure to follow IRONDOG on Facebook.

###

The IRONDOG Fund is a charitable organization that helps lessen the financial hardship for families with companion animals hospitalized at the Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center. It supports the medical and surgical management of animals for whom curative treatment options are available, yet not affordable. Students and VMC veterinarians nominate cases for IRONDOG, which contributes to a portion of the overall cost for selected patients.

Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, a world-renowned institute of veterinary medical education, strives to develop a diverse academic community that fosters scholarly activity and encourages exemplary human qualities. The College imparts the art and science of veterinary medicine to its students, which is expanded by research, and extended to the public for the benefit of animal and human health. With more than 100 years of teaching excellence, CVM continues to prepare leaders, life-savers, and world changers to meet the challenges of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

Support the College of Veterinary Medicine