Donated Pacemakers Help Dogs Live Longer
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Cooper received the donated pacemaker Amanda Read The program was created by Terri Matula, 59, a board-certified cardiovascular nurse. In 1997, when she was studying in Tampa, her cocker spaniel, Gator, starting suffering from cardiac problems. “I knew from my studies that devices for people could be used in dogs,” she says. Unfortunately, she was on a student's budget, so canine cardiac care was out of reach. But Gator's memory later inspired her to help other ailing dogs. In 2016, when her husband, Robert Driver, now 60 and a congestive heart failure patient, needed to have his pacemaker upgraded, Matula thought of other pets, and pet owners, who could benefit. “Pacemakers are usually just thrown away,” she notes. Her employer, the Medical Center, Navicent Health, is now a partner, with the University of Georgia, in the donation program, and doctors and dog owners from around the world have contacted Matula to learn more about it. As for Cooper, the human medical device has helped him become a normal dog again. “After about a month, his energy perked up,” says Read. “He became more active and more interested in food, treats and taking walks. He started wagging his tail again and seemed much happier.” MORE FROM AARP AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
Donate Your Pacemaker…to a Dog
University program helps canines lead longer healthier lives
Getty Images . The donors are people who need pacemaker upgrades but whose previous implants still work. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. "It's a very novel program that will benefit lots of dogs,” says Gregg Rapoport, a University of Georgia veterinary cardiologist. Pacemakers can last up to 10 years. In just two years, the donation program has collected 41 pacemakers for dogs.Cooper received the donated pacemaker Amanda Read The program was created by Terri Matula, 59, a board-certified cardiovascular nurse. In 1997, when she was studying in Tampa, her cocker spaniel, Gator, starting suffering from cardiac problems. “I knew from my studies that devices for people could be used in dogs,” she says. Unfortunately, she was on a student's budget, so canine cardiac care was out of reach. But Gator's memory later inspired her to help other ailing dogs. In 2016, when her husband, Robert Driver, now 60 and a congestive heart failure patient, needed to have his pacemaker upgraded, Matula thought of other pets, and pet owners, who could benefit. “Pacemakers are usually just thrown away,” she notes. Her employer, the Medical Center, Navicent Health, is now a partner, with the University of Georgia, in the donation program, and doctors and dog owners from around the world have contacted Matula to learn more about it. As for Cooper, the human medical device has helped him become a normal dog again. “After about a month, his energy perked up,” says Read. “He became more active and more interested in food, treats and taking walks. He started wagging his tail again and seemed much happier.” MORE FROM AARP AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS