Date Media Contact: Donna Bauman, CVPM

[Date]Media Contact: Donna Bauman, CVPM

For Immediate

LOCAL VETERINARIAN TO HOLD HELPING HEARTS FREE VETERINARY CLINIC Continued Area Hardship Prompts Ottawa Animal Hospital’s Helping Hearts Clinic

Holland, MI – For five hours on Saturday, May 16, 2009, Ottawa Animal Hospital owner Dr. Eric Heitman is holding the first Helping Hearts Clinic to provide free basic veterinary medical support to dogs and cats whose owners have fallen on hard times.With the outpouring of support from our vendors and staff, we are hoping to fill our appointments with dogs and cats in real need of fundamental veterinary services for people who have not been able to afford those services due to the dismal economy. Helping Hearts Clinic targets people who have lost their homes or suffered disasters, veterans who have fallen on hard times, or those for whom the economic downturn has affected their ability to provide basic veterinary care for their pets. Two mandatory documents will be required in advance: a signed referral letter from a social worker, case worker, or member of the clergy, and a registration form. The registration form isavailable at or by calling 616-399-2540. Both documents need to be received by May 10, 2009. (No late registration forms will be accepted.) The referral letter and registration document can be faxed to Ottawa Animal Hospital at 616-796-0244, emailed to , or mailed to Ottawa Animal Hospital, 620 Butternut Dr. Holland, MI 49424.

Referral letters will be verified before acceptance. Acceptance into the free clinic is not guaranteed. Ottawa Animal Hospital anticipates an overwhelming response and thus not all applications/applicants will be accepted. After verification, registrants will be called and assigned an appointment time. In the case that the registrant cannot accept the assigned appointment time, registration will be forfeited and another registrant will be picked from a lottery of all applicants. The clinic will provide distemper and rabies vaccines, preventive deworming for dogs and cats, heartworm testing for dogs, and a complimentary dose of heartworm pills. No anesthetic procedures, second opinions, or radiographs will be provided. No sick pets will be seen, as this is a well-care clinic only. The doctors and staff will be donating their time, and the hospital’s vendors will be providing donations. All goods and services will be free of charge, although a minimal donation is suggested to help encourage pet owners to take a vested interest in their pets’ healthcare. Donations will be put in the Ottawa Animal Hospital Angel Fund that cares for stray pets that are injured or sick and places them in loving new homes.

For more information about Helping Hearts Clinic, please call Ottawa Animal Hospital at 616-399-2540 or visit

Thank you to our vendors for their generous donations:

[List donating companies here]