Sampson Fund To The Rescue: Resident Gets Support For Rescue Pup’s Medical Emergency

BREWSTER – Six years ago, Linda Cormier gave Eli, a Doberman, a second chance at life. In August, the Sampson Fund gave Cormier the opportunity to do it again. 

 Cormier has had many Dobermans throughout her life, and when the chance arose to adopt one more, everything seemed like it was aligned. 

 Before coming to Massachusetts, Eli was kept in a Tennessee backyard, chained to a tree with a prong collar. The owner neglected the dog to the point of starvation and eventually shared that he was planning on ending the animal’s life in the woods out back. 

 A neighbor of the Tennessee man kept Eli alive by throwing food and water over the fence. After some time, the neighbor reached out to a local animal welfare organization that convinced the owner to give up custody of the dog.

“The neighbor found an adoption agency where my friend saw [Eli’s] posting and called me, knowing I have experience with the breed,” said Cormier. “Eli needed a loving home and I needed Eli after just losing my mother.”

At the time, Cormier was in her mid-70s and wasn’t expecting to adopt another dog. She had recently lost her mother and was feeling a bit lost, she said. The day she received information about Eli, including photos of the dog, was her mother’s birthday — a serendipitous moment. 

“I felt it was meant to be,” she said. “He needed to be rescued, and he saved me.” 

 Eli was brought to Massachusetts where he was placed with Cormier immediately. She said when he arrived, he weighed about 40 pounds, a least 20 less than experts would recommend. She said she could see his ribs. 

 But the thing that Cormier was most astonished by? His temperament and general demeanor. 

 “Eli loved everybody,” she said. 

 He was around 1 year old when Cormier adopted him, so she was able to work with him on training. In her experience, many Dobermans exhibit assertive behavior if not trained properly, so it was important to quickly establish key commands and a good routine for him. 

 Eli settled in nicely and started eating properly, gaining weight and displaying a healthier physique at 75 pounds.

 In 2024, Cormier noticed a growth on his front right paw. Despite her best efforts including regular cleanings and antibiotics, the wound continued to grow and remained open, at risk of infection. 

The Brewster Veterinary Hospital staff told Cormier the wound needed to be surgically removed and would likely cost upwards of $4,000, even before any aftercare and medicine expenses. Now, at 80 years old, Cormier was on a fixed income and unable to afford such an expense, but the alternative was euthanasia. 

Office manager Carley Morreale at the Brewster Veterinary Hospital immediately recommended contacting the Sampson Fund and helped Cormier fill out an application. 

The Sampson Fund is a Cape-wide organization that was founded in 1986 by Christopher Donner, a former veterinarian at Pleasant Bay Animal Hospital in Harwich. Donner had a client, a cat named Sampson, who was an outdoor cat that would regularly get into medical trouble.

“His owner would bring him in and Dr. Donner would patch him up,” said Patti Smith, president of the Sampson Fund. “The cat lived to be surprisingly old.” 

When the cat ultimately passed away from old age, Sampson’s owner donated $25 to the hospital, asking that it be used for the medical expenses of an animal whose owner could not afford the care. After the initial donation, Donner turned the idea into a full-fledged organization. 

Today, the organization is affiliated with 15 hospitals (most recently partnering with the Animal Hospital of Orleans this past fall) and has donated $150,000 this year alone to hospitals for animal care. 

Smith said the funds are reserved for critical-specific cases. They cannot be used for regular visits, routine procedures like spaying, neutering or vaccinations. The application process requires proof of financial need, normally a tax return. In most cases, the pet is in a life-threatening situation where surgery is necessary for it to survive. In the last few years, Smith said the organization has broadened its scope of what constitutes a pet, adding an exotic category that includes reptiles, birds, ferrets and guinea pigs, just to name a few.  

The owner is responsible for 20 percent of the bill and the fund covers the rest. Smith said each hospital is allotted a specific amount per month, which stays consistent across clinics. Funding sources vary, but Smith said the big three are donations, grants and fundraising events. 

After Cormier’s application for Eli was approved, the surgery was completed in August. Lee Winer, a doctor at the hospital, reported the mass was a large ulcerated tumor, which after a biopsy came back as non-malignant. 

“I will be grateful forever for the financial help and all the support I was given,” said Cormier. “What an incredible organization and awesome staff. Thank you to everyone at The Sampson Fund that made caring for Eli possible.”

Eli is back to his happy self, said Cormier, in big part due to the work of the Sampson Fund. 

Next year, the organization will turn 40 years old, said Smith. The all-volunteer board of trustees will be holding a number of celebratory events, one each month. In January, the organization will host pet safety and CPR classes as preventative measures for pet owners. More information will be released in the coming weeks. 

Additionally, a pet wellness fair has been announced for April 25 at the 204 Community Center in Harwich. It will be their first time hosting a fair, which will include community partners to provide information and pet-related services. 

For more information or to register for any upcoming events, visit sampsonfund.org.