Client stories
Every animal that comes through our doors has a story. Here are some of the pets, people and moments that make Lort Smith what it is.
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- Tails of Lort Smith
Dr Leanne
At Lort Smith we can care for animals with many diseases and illnesses. We have a very experienced team of vets who provide expertise and care for a wide range of complicated surgical and medical conditions.
Dr Leanne is one of Lort Smith's esteemed head vets, and oversees the emergency and critical care portfolio.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have access to a wide-range of equipment in emergency and ICU cases to help us determine the reason the patient is unwell and treat them. These machines include in-house blood machines, urinalysis machines, oxygenated humidicribs, syringe pumps, endoscopes, x-ray, ultrasound and CT machines," explains Dr Leanne.
"Emergency services are for patients who have an immediate threat to life, significant impact on health and welfare, and are likely to deteriorate without veterinary treatment.
"Urgent veterinary services are for patients whose injury or illness may cause moderate to significant impact on their health and wellbeing. They are in a stable condition, but still require veterinary treatment to prevent deterioration," explains Dr Leanne.
Dr Leanne thrives on the fast pace and unpredictability of her role.
Thank you, Dr Leanne, for providing such amazing care and compassion to our patients and clients.
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- Tails of Lort Smith
Dr Amanda
Dr Amanda takes an integrative approach to veterinary medicine.
She says, "Lort Smith gives me the opportunity to do this and are unwavering in supporting my integrative approach to medicine. I can tap on the vast collective knowledge of my colleagues in Western medicine, whilst being given the space to work in acupuncture, CBD and other different treatments."
The results of her work are outstanding, and some of Dr Amanda's proudest professional moments have been treating our shelter animals. "Seeing a surrendered animal move from a place of fear and illness to full health and a happy home for keeps is very special to be part of."
The brains trust
There are many things Dr Amanda values about working at Lort Smith. "I love the team effort and collaborative approach – our people are passionate and caring. And they're smart! I call them 'the brains trust' because everyone has their own interest and are encouraged to pursue that area. That gives us a massive pool of knowledge to draw on, something you don't see at many veterinary organisations."
Seeing a surrendered animal move from a place of fear and illness to full health and a happy home for keeps is very special to be part of.
Dr Amanda
This collaborative approach extends to Lort Smith's support for staff to develop and grow their skills with formal training. "Our environment is one of learning and best practice. We all gather new information from conferences and courses, and then share and implement it."
Dr Amanda is excited about the opportunities the new hospital will bring when it opens in 2023. "Having a brand-new facility built using fear-free principles means that we can help even more animals and the people who love them."
She regularly works at our clinic and Adoption Centre in Campbellfield, in Melbourne's northern suburbs, giving her first-hand experience of what the new hospital will be like to work in. "Our Campbellfield clinic is a joy to work in – the facilities and equipment are state-of-the-art and the teams feel incredibly lucky to be working there."
Like Campbellfield, the new hospital will house Lort Smith's advanced equipment, used across our services from standard consults through to A&E and ICU. "Ultrasounds, medical consultants, CT scanners, theatres, radiology, diagnostics… I feel blessed to have these tools to use," Dr Amanda says.
"Our team of veterinary staff combined with our facilities make us a great force to care for the needs of animals. Our ICU is well equipped and the staff passionate. Our nurses are superb in supporting the vets and ensuring any animal in pain or distress is attended to promptly and relieved of their pain," says Dr Amanda.
Thank you, Dr Amanda, for your care, compassion and ability to help animals achieve their best health with a skilful balance of treatment.
Interested in wildlife and exotics? Read about the work of Dr Tristan Rich.
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- Volunteers
Lina
Lina started volunteering for Lort Smith in 2014. She has volunteered in various areas of the organisation, including the kennels, administration and Pet Therapy, alongside her now-retired staffy, Bella.
Before retiring in 2016, Lina worked in HR and finance.
"I became a volunteer because I wanted to do something meaningful with my spare time. I wanted to get involved in my local community and believed that I had experience, skills and knowledge that could be of use," says Lina.
Everyone should consider volunteering. Trust me – it's amazing!
Lina
Lina chose to volunteer at Lort Smith because she wanted to contribute to a cause she deeply cared about, and the organisation's values align with her own.
"The volunteer engagement team provides invaluable support to all volunteers, both new and old. Volunteers are given many opportunities to gain knowledge and new skills by attending both refresher and new training sessions, and by working alongside very dedicated and caring staff members," explains Lina.
Lina enjoys volunteering at Lort Smith because she's surrounded by people with a common interest: a love for animals. She gets great satisfaction from giving love, affection and "walkies" to shelter dogs, and watching them grow and blossom while in our care.
"What I love the most though, is the fact that every animal that passes through the Adoption Centre is given the absolute best chance at finding a loving, forever home no matter what. To be a part of that is both exciting and rewarding," says Lina.
Lina volunteers a few hours each week, and says she has learnt many new skills. She has met lots of new and different people, and formed some lovely friendships. She has been challenged but always has fun, and volunteering makes her feel good.
"Everyone should consider volunteering. Trust me – it's amazing!
"As a volunteer at Lort Smith I am made to feel very valued for what I do. At the end of each shift I am thanked for my help – I haven't felt or experienced this before and hearing it not only gives me a great sense of achievement, it also makes me feel like I have actually made a difference," says Lina.
How lucky we are to have Lina and 380 volunteers just like her donating their time to Lort Smith every single day. Lina, you're a truly remarkable woman and we're so grateful to have you on our team.
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- Success Stories
Rogue
Rogue was barely six months old when she was brought to Lort Smith's accident and emergency team. She couldn't stand up, as her legs were badly fractured.
"It was hard to see her in so much pain," remembers Lort Smith Animal Welfare Officer An Diep.
Rogue had been hit by a car. Her injuries were so severe that our vets weren't sure she would walk again.
She needed extensive surgery on both her back legs, a long hospital stay, and weeks of rehabilitation to learn how to walk again.
While stories like this are common at our not-for-profit animal hospital in North Melbourne, it never gets any easier for our staff.
"The hardest part about working with animals is not being able to explain what is happening to them or to reassure them that they are safe now, and that we will help them feel better," says An.
You could definitely tell when she was feeling better as she became more vocal, cheekier and more energetic. It was great to see the puppy in her come out.
An Diep, Animal Welfare Officer
The Rogue Mobile
After two long surgeries on her back legs, Rogue spent a week recovering in our Intensive Care Unit. As she slowly improved, Rogue's puppy playfulness started to shine through.
"Rogue missed out on a lot of socialisation and exposure while she was in recovery, but I wanted her to at least enjoy some sun. All Staffies love a sunbake!" An says, laughing.
Rogue was growing fast at the time, and wasn't allowed to walk. So the team turned a borrowed shopping trolley into a "Rogue Mobile", making sure it was cushioned and comfortable to sit in. Each day, Rogue was taken to the park to watch the other dogs, sit in the sun and enjoy the smells.
Back to dog
When Rogue was well enough, she started her rehabilitation. She needed to learn how to walk again, which took weeks of physiotherapy and regular hydrotherapy at a special dog-friendly pool.
To help "get her back to dog", Rogue went into foster care, where she had the socialisation and personal, one-on-one care all puppies need. Over the next nine weeks, Rogue transformed into a completely mobile and healthy young dog, ready to find her family.
"You could definitely tell when she was feeling better as she became more vocal, cheekier and more energetic. It was great to see the puppy in her come out," says a smiling An.
Almost as soon as Rogue was available for adoption, a lovely couple searching for a pup of their own spotted her on the Lort Smith website. These days, Rogue can be found sunbaking in the backyard with her family.
It took more than four months, thousands of dollars and lots of TLC to help her recover, but Lort Smith never gave up on her.
All of Rogue's medical bills were covered by Lort Smith, and we depend on public support to keep saving animals' lives.
A generous donation to Lort Smith today will go so far in helping us keep saving the lives of animals like Rogue. Please donate today.
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- Tails of Lort Smith
Coco & Millie
Many of you will remember senior canine duo Coco and Millie. They were reluctantly surrendered to Lort Smith in August 2019. Coco the silky terrier is a little firecracker, while Millie the kelpie is a more reserved lady. They received so much attention that we wanted to give you an update.
As with most senior animals, they have a few (manageable) health issues. Most notably, Millie was diagnosed with glaucoma.
Trying to keep them together
At first, we had hoped to adopt these girls out as a co-dependent pair. Millie would rely on Coco to be her eyes, and always let Coco walk in front. Coco, full of enthusiasm, was more than happy to be leader of their pack. Sadly, they had very little adoption interest as a duo. We were reluctant to separate them, as they had lived their whole lives together and Millie became anxious without her little sidekick.
It's fair to say they grew impatient in the shelter. Coco began getting too bossy with Millie and would act out, especially at dinner time.
Our kennels team discussed their case thoroughly, and spoke with their previous owners to learn more. We strongly believed the incidents were due to high stress levels in the shelter, and that this would ease once they were in a home, so we placed them in our foster-to-adopt program.
An amazing family came forward and was fully briefed on the girls' medical and behaviour issues. They knew what to monitor and look out for, and even had a plan to separate them physically if no one was going to be home.
A week into the trial, the foster carers told us Coco was having episodes of lashing out at Millie, causing injuries to both dogs. After long discussions between the foster carers and our team, we made the difficult decision to separate the girls for their own safety.
Everyone was devastated. We did everything in our power to keep them together. Millie stayed on in the home, and Coco came back to the shelter.
They may not have ended up together, but they did end up very happy, safe and loved.
Two happy endings
When Coco came back, she was doted on by everyone, as everyone felt for her and Millie. She would spend time in the admin offices, keeping the staff company during their workday. That's when we noticed she was showing some odd behaviours: snapping at flies that weren't there, walking in constant circles and being hyper-alert.
After a veterinary examination, we decided to do a CT scan to see if anything sinister was going on, or if it was to do with Coco missing Millie. Fortunately, the CT scan was all clear, and we found another foster carer for Coco. Within days of being in a home, her strange behaviours eased and she became a happy little girl again. Coco was put up for adoption, and it didn't take long for her to find her new family.
We're thrilled to share that Coco now lives with a lovely young couple, who say she has settled in extremely well. She has adjusted to a new routine and shown no signs of her odd behaviours.
Millie was eventually adopted by her foster family, and has become more confident and relaxed. She loves sleeping on the couch, lying in the sun, following her carers around the house and going for leisurely walks along the beach.
They may not have ended up together, but they did end up very happy, safe and loved.
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- Success Stories
Joy
Joy was just seven months old when she came to Lort Smith. The once sprightly Jack Russell terrier cross had become desperately lethargic. Joy's elderly carer, who was also unwell, could no longer look after her.
To solve Joy's mysterious tiredness, our vets carried out a number of tests, including blood tests and a CT scan. It wasn't long before they discovered Joy had a congenital abnormality that stopped blood from going through her liver, a process vital to keeping her body healthy. Joy needed liver shunt surgery to save her life.
A long recovery
Our team wasted no time, and Joy seemed to pick up quickly after her life-saving surgery, made possible thanks to Lort Smith supporters like you.
But soon she began to deteriorate again, this time showing neurological symptoms. Joy was immediately transferred back to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she was given special medication and closely monitored around the clock.
After 33 days in hospital, Joy was strong enough to leave the ICU and finish her recovery in a cosy home with Jacqui, one of our adoption team members and a specialist foster carer.
Over the next five weeks in foster care, Joy played with other pups, lazed with cats in the afternoon sun and learned basic manners. After three months in our care, Joy was mentally ready to find her family, but physically she needed more liver tests before she could be given the all clear.
Joy and Kyle play so much – every morning, noon and night – they are wrestling constantly.
Alex
Foster to adopt
Not wanting her to wait a minute longer, the Adoption Centre team put Joy in our foster-to-adopt program. This lets Lort Smith keep providing the best vet treatment, covered by the Animal Hospital, while pets move into their permanent home. It gives the best possible outcome for a pet's health and wellbeing.
It wasn't long before Hannah, Alex and their terrier Kyle discovered Joy on our website. After a fantastic meet and greet, they started the adoption process.
"Joy and Kyle play so much – every morning, noon and night – they are wrestling constantly," says Alex.
Joy fitted in so perfectly that the adoption was soon made official, and she now has a family with Hannah, Alex and Kyle.
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- Success Stories
Puss
On a Friday morning in March, Lort Smith was called to give off-site emergency medical treatment to a cat who had become stuck between two brick walls in North Melbourne.
It's believed Puss, a 12-year-old tabby, was chasing rats between two structures with only a small gap to crawl through.
Neighbours heard Puss crying out for help and called emergency services. The Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB) arrived shortly after, and found her jammed in a tight, four-centimetre gap between a house and the neighbouring property.
A delicate operation
The MFB crew called Lort Smith for urgent veterinary help, to give Puss the best possible outcome. Head of Hospital Dr David Cunliffe, Head Veterinarian Dr Warren Gatt and nurse Amanda Wall were the first to attend, keeping Puss calm while Urban Search and Rescue firefighters delicately cut away part of the wall using specialised equipment.
The complex operation to free the cold and scared cat took some time. Throughout the ordeal, Dr Gatt constantly monitored Puss, making sure she was receiving oxygen and medical treatment to help her feel comfortable.
The moment Puss was free, Dr Gatt and nurse Wall gave her emergency treatment on the scene, before taking her to Lort Smith Animal Hospital's Intensive Care Unit.
Puss's temperature was worryingly low, so she was given oxygen and warming therapy in one of our ICU humidicribs. Originally designed for premature human babies, humidicribs also help treat critically ill animals. It's a non-invasive treatment that helps speed up recovery.
While in our ICU, Puss's health was constantly monitored. Some of the other treatments and procedures she had were:
- blood tests to make sure her vital organs weren't compromised
- fluids for hydration
- overnight veterinary care
- grooming to remove toxic dust particles.
Puss went home after 30 hours in hospital, and is now at home with her carers, curled up on the couch, happy to be with the humans she loves most.
Watch the moment Puss was freed.
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- Pet Therapy
Cath & Baz
I'm onto Cath, I've noticed a pattern. Every week I'm either having a "special fragrant bath" or I'm at the local doggy parlour. Don't get me wrong, I do love the treats beforehand, but I come home smelling funny. And it's always just before I have to go to my job at Peter Mac.
I don't think they appreciate the smell, it's a bit whiffy. I get the feeling Cath's trying to make me smell less appealing than her. That's why as soon as possible I find something to roll in that's more dog appropriate.
Cath also goes to the parlour every six weeks. She tells me no one notices, but I do.
I know my job is done when I hear, 'You've made my day Baz'.
Baz
My job
I love visiting Peter Mac. I go with Cath every Wednesday after our bath, from lunchtime to teatime. I get to lie on lots of beds and treatment chairs, sometimes with old friends, other times new friends. I especially love the children – they're my favourite.
Sometimes I get a feeling, like an invisible tug on my lead. It leads me to a human I know I have to meet. Sometimes their face is wet and their eyes are heavy – but that's where I shine.
All they need is my head on their lap. I feel the room instantly change the moment they touch my curly hair and rub my soft ears. I see a change in their eyes, like someone has turned a light on. The longer I look into their eyes, the more they glow. I like it when they glow.
I know my job is done when I hear, "You've made my day Baz". It makes me feel strong and proud. Us dogs like to feel proud – it's better than the treats.
I love my special Wednesdays with Cath at Peter Mac. I know we will keep going there for a long time – I mean, how else am I going to keep up my treat intake?
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- Success Stories
Muffin
Muffin came to Lort Smith in an awful state. His body was thin, and severely battered and bruised.
Muffin had gone missing from home, and when he came back he was in a frightful state. He had been hit by a car, and had a terrible head injury and a severely damaged left eye, which had become badly infected.
Unable to care for him, Muffin's carer brought him to Lort Smith for help. He needed emergency vet care, rehabilitation and a new home where he could live out his days indoors and in peace.
When he arrived, Muffin was immediately given pain relief and antibiotics. Dr Danae, who was the first to see him, still remembers the moment she met Muffin.
"He was in an awful state and in so much pain – it was heart breaking," she remembers.
Muffin's injuries were so catastrophic that no one believed he could possibly make it through the night. The trauma to his head was so severe that Muffin couldn't close his mouth. Worse still, it had forced his eye out of its socket.
Muffin went straight into surgery to remove his left eye.
He's been through some serious trauma, but he's come through it with one of the best personalities.
Michael
Healing
As soon as Muffin was stable, he had a CT scan to get an accurate picture of his head injuries. The scan confirmed his jaw fracture had forced his teeth out of alignment.
Over the following days, Muffin's swollen face returned to normal, and he was able to eat on his own again. But his misaligned jaw became obvious: Muffin needed specialised dental work to be able to eat properly.
In total, Muffin spent six weeks at Lort Smith: two in hospital, and a further four in foster care for rehabilitation. Once he was available for adoption, it wasn't long before Michael, who had been looking for a furry companion, adopted him.
These days, Muffin can be found playing with his toys, or curling up with Michael to watch TV.
"He's not at all stressed or anxious. He's a very calm and loving cat," says a thankful Michael.
"[Lort Smith] did an amazing job…he's been through some serious trauma, but he's come through it with one of the best personalities," he adds.
Without your generosity, cats like Muffin would struggle to find the unconditional care and support you help us provide every day.
A donation to Lort Smith today can help more animals like Muffin get a second chance at life. Please donate today.