Climbing for a Cause
Two Vets Go Over the Hill for Pets that are Over the Hill
How far would you go to save the life of a beloved old dog? This September, two longtime friends and veterinarians, Dr. Mary Gardner and Dr. Natalie Marks, will travel halfway around the world to Tanzania and climb nearly 19,400 ft. up Mt. Kilimanjaro to save the lives of at-risk senior dogs in shelters nationwide.
“Our goal is to raise $10,000 for The Grey Muzzle Organization,” said Dr. Gardner, who has been on the group’s advisory board since 2018, volunteering to share her expertise in end-of-life care through free webinars for people who share their lives with senior dogs. The Grey Muzzle Organization saves and improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescues, and other nonprofit groups. In July, Grey Muzzle awarded over $1.1 million in grants to 100 animal welfare organizations all around the country.
Both veterinarians are in demand as speakers at continuing education programs and conferences in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to hiking five to eight hours a day, Dr. Gardner will lecture on providing care to geriatric pets. “They say climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is hard but doable even for a couch potato and non-outdoorsy person like me,” said Dr. Gardner. International Veterinary Seminars (IVS) invited her to be the professor on this trip, which is organized by Bio Bio Expeditions. She convinced her friend to join her on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Dr. Marks was happy to participate and support senior dogs through Grey Muzzle. “Mary and I feel the same way: the golden years are our favorite stage of life…There’s something wise and wonderful about our senior pets that warms any heart, and I have loved watching the strength of the human-animal bond at this stage,” Dr. Marks said. Both vets have also experienced the joy that senior dogs bring into our lives firsthand.
As the trip gets closer, Dr. Marks admits to feeling a whirlwind of emotions: “I’m excited, nervous, anxious, and hopeful all in one!” The two friends have been training and gathering support from friends and family. To learn more, visit their pledge site: pledgeit.org/twovets
“We’re thrilled and grateful that Dr. Gardner and Dr. Marks are so passionate about helping senior dogs,” said Grey Muzzle’s Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer, Ph.D. “They’re committed to achieving our vision of a world where every senior dog thrives, and no old dog dies alone and afraid.”
“Senior pets are incredibly special because they have a lifetime of love and experiences to share,” Dr. Gardner adds. “They teach us about resilience, patience, and the beauty of aging gracefully. Their calm and wise demeanor brings a unique, deep bond that only grows
stronger with time.” The same could be said of these two determined women as they prepare to “Go Over the Hill for Pets that are Over the Hill.” Their climb begins the third week of September, and is expected to take seven days to complete, followed by a weeklong safari. [We’ll update you on their journey in October.]
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Mary Gardner, DVM, is co-founder of Lap of Love, a nationwide practice that provides veterinary hospice care in the home. She lives in Jupiter, Florida. Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, has practiced small animal veterinary medicine for more than 20 years, owned the largest animal hospital in Chicago, and now teaches other veterinarians worldwide. She lives in Chicago, Illinois. For additional information, visit their websites at: drmarygardner.com and marksdvmconsulting.com.
