Staff members at Woodland West Animal Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., had their hands full earlier this year caring for Blair and Tanner, two dogs brought to the clinic separately to receive treatment for severe medical problems.
Blair, a 1-year-old black Labrador mix, had been living on the streets and was brought to the animal hospital after being shot, according to the Daily Mail. Tanner, a Golden Retriever, was dropped off by a local rescue organization that could no longer care for the 2-year-old pooch, who was born blind and with a debilitating seizure disorder.
The animal hospital tried adopting out the dogs, but prospective families repeatedly felt they couldn't give them they care they needed. So staff were thrilled when a partial solution to that problem presented itself by accident on fateful day when Blair and Tanner crossed each other's paths in the yard.
"One day [Blair and Tanner] were exercising in a play yard together and they got together," Woodland West Director Dr. Mike Jones told KTUL. "Blair all of a sudden seemed to realize that Tanner was blind and just started to help him around."
Sensing the dogs' connection, staff members began boarding the two together. Weeks later, both showed worlds of improvement.
"After two or three weeks, we realized Tanner wasn't seizing anymore. He's not completely seizure free but it's not constant anymore," Jones said. "We've worked with a lot of different service dogs to provide these services for people, but it's the first time I've seen anything like this, the special relationship these two dogs have."
Jones told ABC News that if staff members put a leash on Tanner, Blair will instinctively pick it up and begin leading her around. The task of caring for Tanner has in turn made Blair less skittish.
Now staff members are trying to adopt out both dogs to the same family.
"They absolutely have to be adopted together," Jones told ABC News. "But it's going to take a special home with someone who understands their special relationship, plus understands seizure disorder and is ready to take on the responsibility."
Check out a video of the dogs from KTUL above.
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Posted: 04/30/2012 2:44 pm Updated: 05/ 1/2012 10:13 am