Doctor is home in Cincinnati with his new owner, Sarah Parker, after locals helped raise his plane fare.
Courtesy of Sarah Parker
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer, is driven to the Durango-La Plata County Airport Thursday by La Plata County Humane Society Board member and volunteer Cathy Roberts as he is returned to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer, is held by volunteer Carolyn Bollinger and La Plata County Humane Society Board member and volunteer Cathy Roberts is refelcted in the window of a car as he arrives at the Durango La-Plata County airport Thursday to be flown to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer, is held by volunteer Carolyn Bollinger as he arrives at the Durango La-Plata County airport Thursday to be flown to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer arrives at the Durango-La Plata County Airport Thursday by La Plata County Humane Society Board member and volunteer Cathy Roberts as he is returned to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer, waits to check in at the Durango-La Plata County Airport Thursday as he is held by La Plata County Humane Society Board member and volunteer Cathy Roberts as he is returned to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer, waits to check in at the Durango-La Plata County Airport Thursday as he is held by La Plata County Humane Society Board member and volunteer Cathy Roberts as he is returned to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer, waits to check in at the Durango-La Plata County Airport Thursday as he is held by La Plata County Humane Society Board member and volunteer Cathy Roberts as he is returned to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
Doctor, a 7 year old Schnauzer, stares out of his kennel at the Durango-La Plata County Airport Thursday as he is returned to family in Cincinnati. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald<br>
After a long day of check-ins, waiting and flying, Doctor arrived safely in Cincinnati late Thursday night, a little jet-lagged but happy to be back with his family.
The schnauzer served as a companion and therapy aid to a young man with bipolar disorder.
The man, who is struggling with his illness, felt he could no longer take care of the dog he loved and surrendered him to the La Plata County Humane Society.
Through a series of Facebook posts, the Humane Society determined that the young man’s sister, Sarah Parker, was willing and able to take in the pooch, who had lived with her family for several years in his early life.
Thanks to local donors, Doctor’s $300 plane fare was raised in less than 24 hours, and off he went. Happy trails, Doctor.