Every year, the Michigan State University community gathers on a brisk spring morning for the IRONDOG 5K. It is a tradition fueled by students, faculty, and the local supporters who walk and run to raise money for the IRONDOG Fund. This resource exists within the MSU Veterinary Medical Center to serve as a financial safety net for pet owners facing the sudden, overwhelming costs of emergency veterinary care. For many families, the fund can represent a second chance, one that a dog named Jake and his owner, Sandy Martens, experienced firsthand last summer.

The emergency began on an ordinary day while Sandy was outside feeding her animals. Jake was running around the farm as usual, but when he did not return when called, Sandy began to worry. Suddenly, he emerged from behind the garage in clear distress.

“He was crawling, and I knew something was wrong,” Sandy says. Upon bringing him into the house, Sandy discovered that Jake had sustained a severe facial injury.

Sandy stayed by Jake’s side through the night, and in the morning, she called around to a few different vet offices. The advice she received from her community was unanimous: she had to take him to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center.

Arriving at the Hospital, Sandy was still fearful, but the reception from the medical team provided immediate comfort.

“Everybody was just so awesome,” Sandy says. “The people here were amazing and super helpful.”

She specifically remembers Cameron Higgs, a veterinary student who worked closely on Jake’s case. “When Cam came out, he was the nicest guy ever and made me feel like Jake was in good hands,” Sandy says. Throughout the treatment, the staff showed a deep level of compassion, offering Sandy hugs and support as she navigated the emotional toll of the crisis.

As the team stabilized Jake, Higgs introduced Sandy to the IRONDOG Fund. Learning that there was a community-supported resource available to help chip in on the cost of his care changed Sandy’s perspective on the entire ordeal.

“It just made me feel so much better that there’s people out there helping,” she says. “I was like, ‘Okay, yay—I know I’m not in this alone.’”

Support from the fund allowed the team to move forward with the specialized procedures that Jake needed to recover. Johna Buys, a resident in Emergency and Critical Care, remembers how complex Jake’s case became once they began evaluating him. In addition to the severe facial injury, he was also suffering from life-threatening internal complications.

“Jake’s case was complex because the fluid accumulating in his abdomen didn’t clearly fit into any of the usual categories we see after trauma,” says Buys. “Support from the IRONDOG Fund allowed us to pursue the necessary testing and treatment without delay, ensuring we could focus on delivering the highest standard of care.”

Despite the complexity of his surgery and the internal injuries he faced, Jake’s personality didn’t waver.

“He consistently appeared clinically brighter than his laboratory values and injuries would suggest,” says Buys. “He maintained his appetite, readily stood to greet staff, and continued to wag his tail when approached in his kennel. His strength and composure throughout his care were truly exceptional.”

The experience at the Hospital left a lasting impression on Sandy, particularly the way the staff treated Jake as an individual rather than just another patient.

“Jake is a unique dog, but everybody just loved him like they’ve known him,” she says.

She now encourages other pet owners in crisis to trust in the resources available at MSU.

“Don’t hesitate to come to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center because you won’t regret it, and there are resources for help, like the IRONDOG Fund,” she says. “I was just blown away.”

Today, Jake is back to his old self, surviving his ordeal as a true “trooper,” says Sandy. She is already rallying her friends and family to join her in the upcoming IRONDOG 5K.

“I told my friends that they all have to come,” she says. “I don’t really run, but I’m sure you can walk, right?” By participating with Jake this spring, Sandy wants to help ensure that the same safety net remains ready for the next family who walks through the Hospital doors.