Studies have shown that loving pet owners are inclined to require less medical care for stress-induced illnesses. Heart patients with pets have been found to live longer than patients that don’t have pets. Whether there is empirical evidence that pets add years to their owners’ lives or not, the fact is that the unconditional love that comes from a pet is incomparable to any human relationship.
The problem is that many pet owners have gotten themselves to the point where they can’t take pet care for granted any longer.
Thousands of pet owners in Denver are forced to choose between expensive veterinary care and putting food on the table. As a result, these pets are forced to live in pain longer than they should. Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital and The Goethe Fund is dedicated to eliminating that.
Named in honor of Jill and Karl Lueders’ late Labrador retriever, The Goethe Fund is dedicated to strengthening the loving bond between pet and pet owner. Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital, Colorado’s largest not-for-profit animal hospital, provides vital veterinary care for pets of the economically disadvantaged, people with disabilities, and seniors. In 2007, more than 12,000 pet owners relied on Harrison Memorial to offer and subsidize care for their pets. In contrast there are at least that many pet owners in Denver that need Harrison Memorial’s care but don’t know such care exists! That’s where the Goethe Fund comes in.
In 2008, The Goethe Fund committed to raise $25,000 over the next five years – along with much-needed awareness – to provide funds to allow Harrison to provide care to even more pet owners.
The “25 in 5” pledge is a commitment from the Lueders family, through The Goethe Fund, to raise $25,000 in five years to directly support the operational activities of Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital. The Goethe Fund will raise funds from two sources: The Lueders family and outside fundraising. As a residential Realtor with The Kentwood Company of Cherry Creek, Karl Lueders will donate up to 5% from every real estate transaction he closes to the Goethe Fund. Outside donations will complete the pledge to Harrison. 100% of all donations to the “25 in 5” campaign will go directly to Harrison Memorial to promote their efforts of providing high-quality veterinary care to low or fixed-income pet owners, as well as furthering its efforts toward controlling the pet population.
How can you help?
- Donate directly to Harrison Memorial and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation by calling Sharon Kay Brown, director of development for the CVMF, at 303-539-7635.
- Or call Karl Lueders to help you with your next real estate purchase or sale. Regardless of price, location or duration of sale, a portion of his proceeds will go directly to the 25 in 5 campaign IN YOUR NAME. Please contact him at 720-971-8267.
There is more specific donation information to come; in the meantime, this video discusses The Goethe Fund here.
