Dr. Gary Andes and his team at Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital worked tirelessly after a dog named Church was traumatized by abusive behavior.
In January of this year, Church was dragged behind by a car in the parking lot of the Mission Church in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Church members found the puppy and he was taken to the Andean-Strelli Veterinary Hospital. Once the surveillance video of the crime was discovered, it was handed over to the local authorities.
Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said: “This is very, very shocking. This animal has undergone a lot of operations and he still has a long way to go.”
On Monday, Dr. Anders described Church’s condition before the operation as “the worst case of abuse we have ever seen.”
Dr. Andes and WJHL-TV discussed in detail the Church’s surgical procedures and the various challenges he had to overcome since the unfortunate situation happened.
“We are very satisfied with his performance, but it is not an easy road,” Dr. Anders said. “Most of his body wounds have healed, 95%. His bone injuries are very serious and this is where we still have some problems. He occasionally prefers one of his legs and will have to continue medication,” said the Andes.
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After Dr. Andes and his team helped Church recover to his best health, Dr. Andes decided to adopt Church as his own child.
“He comes to work with me every day and comes home with me at night,” Andes said. “He is a big dog, he wants to be in your lap, but this is not always possible. He is a caring dog. He becomes more trusting every day. When he meets new people now, He is not worried, he is friendly.”
Dr. Anders also talked about Church’s behavior at home now, compared to when he was in the hospital.
“He did a great job. Sleeping on the sofa, he did it,” Dr. Anders said. “Every dog should be so lucky. Everything I have now is covered with black fur. That’s the only problem.”
Dr. Andes and his staff at the Andes-Straley Veterinary Hospital received strong support from the community in the rehabilitation of Church and the heroic behavior of Dr. Andes in adopting puppies.
“A lot of people are shocked by the severity of this situation, and I think our community is working together to make this dog recover and return to normal life. I am very pleased,” Anders said.
