Three-legged rescue dog hits the pool three days a week to gain strength
Noah, a three-legged rescue pup, is getting swimming lessons.
The 9-month-old American pit bull terrier mix came to A Home 4 Spot, a nonprofit, volunteer-based animal rescue organization, six weeks ago. One of his back legs had been an amputated; the other leg had a pin in it.
Noah was surrendered at a veterinarian’s office by his owner, who said that her boyfriend had broken both of his back legs, according to Diana England, president and founder of A Home 4 Spot. When Noah had healed, the organization received a call from the veterinarian’s office.
“My goal was to get him a (prosthetic) leg,” England said.
There’s little chance Noah can get a prosthetic because of the way his leg was amputated, England said. There is nothing for the prosthetic to hook onto, and it could do more damage than good, she said.
So the rescue group moved on to Plan B.
Noah is getting private swimming lessons three days a week. The swimming should strengthen Noah’s leg and build up his body because he is weak and thin, England said.
While he’s waiting for a family to adopt him, Noah is staying with Jessica Lapham, foster coordinator at the organization.
“He’s a really great, friendly dog,” she said. “He gets along with everybody” and loves to run and play like other puppies.
England hopes that the family that adopts him has a pool so he can continue his swimming lessons.
England founded A Home 4 Spot Animal Rescue in 2009. She hoped to make a difference for the thousands of animals that are euthanized every year in pounds.
The dog community in Las Vegas is “huge,” but the dog problem is “bigger,” England said.
The organization’s goal is to find a “home and lifelong family” for its dogs, she said. In the meantime, the volunteers become dogs’ temporary families. A Home 4 Spot has about 50 volunteers, some of whom serve as foster families, England said.
Noah is one of about 60 dogs — from Chihuahuas to mastiffs — being cared for by the volunteers.
The organization puts on adoption events every Sunday and two Saturdays each month.
Contact Andrea Corral at acorral@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285. Find her on Twitter: @andrea_corral2.
