Whether chasing after a tossed stick or curling up on our laps, our pets are family members and companions on the journey and when they pass out of our lives, their loss is truly felt.
That companionship is often especially important to those who are elderly or living with illness, two groups that often struggle with the expenses associated with pet care.
“They sew our hearts up. They are the best medicine,” said Kathleen (Kathy) Hartmann, who some years ago lost her beloved rottweiler, Kado, to cancer. “My mom had congestive heart failure, was disabled, and relied on a walker.”
And although her mother struggled to get by on state assistance, Hartmann knew what an important role Kado played in her life. In losing Kado, she saw a need for helping people, primarily seniors and low income individuals, in keeping their pets who provide that all important companionship.
In 2005, she formed the Kado Pet Foundation and for the last 14 years has raised money and helped to pay for veterinary care, flea and tick medication, food, grooming, and other associated costs so that her clients can stay together with their pets.
The work has been a labor of love.
“Rescue organizations get adoption fees when they place pets, but we have to raise every penny for what we do,” said Hartmann.
She’s been fortunate to partner with Petco stores to sell items like pet toys for her cause, and she participates in a few annual events like Windsor’s Shad Derby, and the Berlin and Four Town Fairs.
“It’s a really good feeling to know you are helping people,” said Hartmann.
The feeling is mutual with some of Hartmann’s clients who have been on the receiving end and do their part to give back by volunteering for the foundation.
Joanne Cohen, of Simsbury, said she applied for assistance from Kado approximately four years ago while she was going through some life transitions to help her keep her rescue dog, Annie, a border collie mix.
“I met the criteria and [Hartmann] came out to help me train Annie,” said Cohen. “She’s an amazing woman, always giving everyone a big hug and so upbeat. I want to do whatever I can to help support this wonderful organization.”
Cohen helps out at Petco fundraisers and has manned a booth at a Stop and Shop.
“Annie was great as a Kado ambassador. People would come in and play with her while I told people what Kado does and answered questions,” she said.
As a clinical social worker who has also done medical social work and hospice, Cohen said she can speak to the difference a pet can make in a person’s quality of life.
“I have elderly neighbors whose faces just light up when they see Annie,” she said.
“My kitty, Gabrielle, was the first official ‘Kado Kid,'” said Ida Gales, of Avon.
Gales, who suffers from multiple personality disorder, PTSD, and depression, said her cat was more than just a pet, but a companion that she relied on for years, who sensed when she was beginning to disassociate and who would help pull her back to reality.
“Gabrielle had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and if it weren’t for [Hartmann’s] help, I would have gone home from the vet alone. There was no way I could have afforded Gabrielle’s medications on my own,” she said. “Instead, I got 15 more beautiful months with her. I know losing a pet is not the same as losing a child, and I would never pretend it is the same, but I’ve never had children, and so losing her was the closest I’ll ever be to that experience.”
Hartmann’s help didn’t stop when Gabrielle passed. Despite her very real need for a pet health-wise, Gales said she never would have adopted another cat without knowing she could count on the financial help she gets from Kado for veterinary care.
“I can budget for her food and other needs, but I can’t budget for vet visits,” she said.
In gratitude, Gales helps to pay that help forward by donating the profits from her Gifts from Gabrielle Etsy shop to the Kado Pet Foundation. She also sells pet crafts made by a few friends on her shop, with the agreement that 20 percent of their profits go to Kado as well.
For Cohen and Gales, the Kado Pet Foundation is a wonderful secret that could benefit from a little more publicity.
For more information about the Kado Pet Foundation or to make a donation, visit helpforpets.org, or contact Hartmann at KadoPetFoundation@gmail.com or 860-688-5108.
