Daniel came to HSSV carrying both worry and hope. His dog Toro, his loyal companion, had developed a painful abscess on his jaw from a foxtail infection. With limited resources, Daniel couldn’t afford a traditional vet visit. But he wasn’t ready to give up.

“Toro’s my best friend. He’s been with me through everything. He got hurt a little while back, and then I saw this lump under his jaw. At first, I thought it might heal on its own, but it just kept getting bigger. I was scared it was serious, but going to a regular vet just wasn’t something I could afford.”

He started calling around, hoping someone could help. That’s when he found HSSV.

“I went in not knowing what to expect, but right away, they listened. And that’s when they referred me to the Essential Care Services.”

At the Essential Care Services, our team examined Toro and confirmed that the abscess caused by the foxtail needed treatment. We provided antibiotics to manage the infection and helped Daniel understand how to care for Toro at home.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without HSSV,” Daniel said. “They didn’t just help Toro. They saw how much he meant to me. They gave him care, and they gave me hope.”

This is exactly why the Essential Care Services exists: to make sure pets stay healthy and with the people who love them, no matter their circumstances. Because no one should have to choose between their pet’s health and their ability to pay.

If you’re in need of compassionate, affordable veterinary care, we’re here for you.

Learn more at hssv.org/services/essential-care-clinic.