MSU’S IRONDOG Fund 5K

When pet owners are faced with bills or worries about treatment, there’s an option at Michigan State University’s Veterinary Medical Center.

The IRONDOG Fund offers financial and emotional relief for the “human end of the leash, as Matthew Beal, director of emergency and critical care medicine services, likes to call people. Typical grants are around $500 and cover blood transfusions, minor surgeries and other expenses.

The fund is supported in part by an annual 5K walk/run/jog, now in its 12th year (that’s around mid-60s to upper-70s in dog years). And not just dogs, grants are also available to cats and other animals, like horses, when needed.

The first recipient of the fund has returned to run the IRONDOG 5K, alongside the veterinary team that helped save the life of their ill German shorthaired pointer more than a decade ago.

“Veterinary care is expensive, especially high-level emergency care like we provide here,” said Beal. “We see clients who want to do everything possible for their pet, but finances must be part of that decision. This race helps us step in and help when it matters most.”