Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Challender.
Hi Donna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our story started with our dog, Kodi. He was a beautiful 8yr old Husky Mix that suddenly couldn’t walk. He was diagnosed with Canine Myasthenia Gravis. I was desperate for help. I reached out to my daughter’s friend who happened to have a dog with the same disease. She suggested I join Canine Megaesophagus Support Group on Facebook. Most dogs with MG also have megaesophagus (ME). I joined the group and it became apparent to me that ME and MG were not known to the public sector very well. Vets were also not well versed on how to manage or treat the disease. Euthanasia was suggested in many cases. A group of us decided that needed to change. I wrote a post stating “I’m mad as Hell and I’m not going to take it anymore”, From that post the Upright Canine Brigade was born on October 9, 2012.
From there we formed our own Facebook group, The Upright Canine Brigade Awareness and Support Group. From a tiny grass root group, our numbers have grown to 21,000.
We became a 501c3 non-profit in July of 2015. In that year we also developed an informative website.
We have exhibited at 10 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine forums (ACVIM) throughout the US. We speak to vets on how the group is managing Megaesophagus with their animals. We hand out patient brochures to give to their clients.
We also attend pet events and the National Dog Show each year. We educate the public on signs and symptoms of Megaesophagus.
We support research. Each year, we hold a calendar contest in June since it is Megaesophagus Awareness Month. 12 lucky dogs and cats are selected for a month and each participant is given their special day on the calendar. The calendars are sold in the fall. 100% profit goes toward a Megaesophagus research project conducted by Universities in the US and abroad. We have donated $68,000 thus far.
We also assist Rescues and Shelters with megaesophagus animals through our Buffy Project. We can provide them with a feeding chair, a neck pillow to help them sleep at night, prescription food, adoption fees and also we assist with veterinary expenses. We help share these animals through our social media network to find the perfect home.
There is still more work to be done. We are currently seeking grants for a new project. We would like to assist our members that are struggling financially to pay vet bills. Whether it be from unemployment, disability, natural disaster or fire, or a senior on a fix income. We hope to begin this project later this year.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This disease leaves pet owners with a sense of doom and gloom. A foreboding feeling and a sense of helplessness.
In recent years the veterinary community, in many instances, has come to realize that this disease can be managed and pet parents are willing to do it. There has been more research and different medications that have been proven to help the condition. Even with all that said, there is still a large number of skepticism among some veterinarians.
A large majority is the result of genetics. There are top geneticist working on breed related Canine Idiopathic Megaesophagus (CIM). Bringing the breeders on board is the first step in “stopping the spread”. At times, getting the word out to this faction of the dog world is met with some push back.
We know that we must all work together to improve the lives of our pets – Pet Parents + Veterinarians + Researchers + Breeders.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a retired Sales Representative from a small optical lab. My job was often times challenging since there was quite a bit of competition from huge companies providing the same services at a much more competitive price.
I learned ways to set my company apart from these large companies by offering a more personal touch, better customer service and inventive ideas. I learned to live my life looking at the “glass half full” instead of empty. Perhaps, I didn’t get all their business but managed to get some of it and keep my foot in the door.
Some of this stubbornness and optimism I have brought to the Upright Canine Brigade (UCB). I’m not prone to giving up easily. I see how hard our members work to keep their animals healthy. I want to work just as hard as they do to enlightened the world about this disease, to find solution to make their lives and the lives of their pets easier and healthier.
I think what I’m most proud of is our support group on Facebook, Upright Canine Brigade. It is amazing how so many people can come together out of love to help one another through, arguably, some of the toughest moments of their lives.
The bond that forms with a special needs animal is like no other you will experience. It gives new meaning to feeding your dog. It is not dropping food in a bowl and walking away. Some spoon feed their dog or sit with their dog while they eat. They stroke their fur and sing to them. These pet parents spend hours preparing food. I call these pet parents “the cream of the crop”. They are the most dedicated pet parents I have ever witnessed. And their animals return that love 10 fold!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In the beginning I had a small group of like minded ladies working with me. We were brainstorming on many issues. There are a lot of Facebook groups out there on this subject and they are fine groups. I wanted to do more.
My husband I put up the money to become a non-profit. We researched the process and we were able to do the paper work ourselves. It was a small price to pay in order to achieve more.
Both my husband and myself are problem solvers. When we see something that isn’t right, we do something about it. We have always been this way. I knew that if we could apply for grants and solicit help from companies like Amazon, Chewy and others, we could do more. It was a risk but our community supports us. I had faith that they would.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://caninemegaesophagusinfo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uprightcaninebrigade?igsh=ZTV2ZXI4bDN1MWw4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GfXnJKRR3/
- Twitter: https://x.com/UprightCanineBr
