PDSA star adopts puppy she helped save

07 January 2020

Neglected Blackpool puppy given loving new home.

A neglected puppy with a list of horrific injuries has found a loving home – after being adopted by a PDSA student Vet Care Assistant, who helped nurse her back to health.

Four-month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Thea turned up to Blackpool PDSA Hospital in desperate need of medical attention after being badly bitten by an older dog.

Thea required stitches for deep bite wounds on her neck, including one that narrowly missed the jugular. Vets at Blackpool PDSA Pet Hospital also noticed that Thea had a number of older scars and wounds across her body.

The petrified-pup was cared for by Student Veterinary Care Assistant; Linda Wong-Hunter. Linda said “I have come across some serious dog bites in the past, but it was really upsetting to see a young puppy in such a distressed state.”

“Thea was absolutely terrified and would cower behind me, she had terrible injuries and worryingly was also just skin and bone, and I felt so sorry for her. I spent a lot of time with Thea during those first few hours, and slowly she began to trust and respond to me. She started to see me as a safe person who would care for her.”

Vets at the Pet Hospital were concerned about the puppy’s welfare, so spoke to her owners about the situation. The owners said they’d been struggling to cope with looking after a new puppy, and recognised they weren’t giving her the care that she needed, so they signed Thea over to the care of PDSA.

With the pair having struck up an immediate bond, Linda seemed like the natural choice to provide Thea with a safe and loving home where she could thrive.

Linda added: “I had a good talk with my managers to make sure that this would be the right thing for both Thea and myself. I had become very attached to her and, with the owner not in a position to look after her, I decided to take her on.

“Thea took a while to settle into her new surroundings. Neither of us got much sleep during that first night! Thea was crying and howling – even something as simple as switching the lights off would startle her.

“But we got through it and took things day-by-day. Rather than pushing her to do stuff, I let Thea lead the way. Slowly she has started to come out of her shell and the change I have seen in Thea in the past few weeks has been remarkable.”

In just a few short weeks, Thea’s wounds began to heal and she is now a healthy weight. Linda has also taught Thea how to play fetch for the first time and she is now a lot more comfortable around other people.

Linda added: “We are taking things a day at a time but Thea has come a long way from the terrified puppy I first met. She is so boisterous and playful, and is growing in confidence each day.

“I can’t comprehend what Thea must have gone through in her short life. All I can do is provide her with the love and support that will help her grow into a happy and healthy dog.”

PDSA is asking people to #PawsFirst before making a decision to get a new pet. Their ‘Get Petwise’ quiz can help you discover which pet is right for you and your lifestyle. Visit PDSA’s website to take the test, learn more about the Puppy Contract, and for free advice to protect you against getting an unwell, puppy farmed or illegally imported puppy: www.pdsa.org.uk/getting-a-puppy