Search and Rescue Dog Gets Pacemaker

After years of helping authorities look for murder victims and the survivors of natural disasters, a Newton County search-and-rescue dog named Molly has been rescued herself. Surgeons at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia installed a pacemaker in the 5 year old chocolate Labrador retriever's heart. She needed the surgery after being diagnosed with a complete electrical heart block.

In May tornadoes swept through northern Oklahoma and southwest Missouri, Molly acted lethargic and out of breath. Veterinarians now say they think she had a heart attack and diagnosed Molly with complete heart blockage and said the upper and lower halves of her heart weren't communicating electrically.

After the need for the pacemker was publicized by the Joplin Globe, Molly's owners, Allen and Alicia Brown of Saginaw, were overwhelmed with offers to help pay the more than $2500.00,in surgery, vet and travel costs. A medical technology company, Medtronic, donated the pacemaker and a southeast Kansas businessman offered to anonymously pay up to $2000 of the cost, and a fundraising account was setup.

Molly returned home and was confined to her crate for two weeks, with limited activity for the next two months. After that she would be able to return to full-time rescue work.

The Brown's are volunteers with the Newton County K-9 search and rescue unit. The unit which has five certified dogs and three others in training, is made up of vounteers. Molly has been a key member of the team. She searched for tornado victims trapped in demolished homes in 2003 and last year helped seach for a 16 year old boy in a swollen river. Last fall, she identified the vehicle police think transported a missing 9 year old.

The Brown's said the dog's full name is "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." has always been energetic, loves playing fetch and would run to the door whenever they put on their rescue gear.