Duke is on the Mend

WAITSBURG – In our Oct. 1 issue, The Times reported that Waitsburg artist Suze Wood had created a GoFundMe account to raise funds for surgery for her horse, Duke. Since then, Duke has been able to receive necessary medical care and is recovering nicely.

Wood and Duke were struck from behind by a speeding pickup truck, while taking a leisurely ride down Gallaher Road in late August. Duke's only long-term physical injury was some bone chips that required surgical removal. However, Duke's treatment was put on hold while Wood's insurance company established his property value before processing her claim.

Unwilling to sit back and wait, Wood set up the GoFundMe account to raise funds to get the ball rolling on Duke's treatment. Unsure of the cost of treatment, Wood set up the fundraising account to raise $15,000, offering to repay donors once the insurance reimbursement came through.

While that account is currently sitting at just over $5,700, Wood announced on Oct. 1 that generous offline donors had filled the funding gap with CareCredit and a zero interest loan.

Duke traveled to WSU on Oct. 5 and underwent surgery on Oct. 8. Dr. Farnsworth removed four bone chips, rather than the anticipated two, and Duke came through the surgery with no complications. Following a short stay at WSU, Duke was moved to a recovery facility on Vashon Island, where Wood visits him regularly.

"His bandages are off, and his stitches were removed a couple of days ago. The vet says he's looking great! He can now have 15 minute walks, which he's been finding pretty thrilling, given the lush pastures here on the farm," said Wood in a GoFundMe update.

"A heartfelt thank you to every single one of you who have been so generous with good wishes and funding. We wouldn't be here without you, and I'm eternally grateful," Wood said.