Aug. 1, 2012
Ed,
I would like to thank you for your efforts to bring the work of Dr. Sears to the public forum and inform people about distemper and it’s possible treatment. I am especially grateful for Kind Hearts in Action because our puppy, Boomer, was able to survive this terrible virus thanks to the information you gave me. I will never be able to thank you enough.
We got Boomer not knowing much about his history other than that he was part of a litter that was to be euthanized and was rescued from a county animal 
shelter by a local rescue group. Luckily, my fiancé was able to talk them into giving Boomer to us a week early and I am convinced that this saved his life. He came to us with an upper respiratory infection and some antibiotics. Less than a week went by and his symptoms began to appear; discharge from the nose and eyes, lack of energy, blood in his stool. We took him to see the vet for the rescue that was overseeing the litter. There, she informed us about a strong possibility that he may have distemper and that there was not much she could do. The look in her eyes was one of sadness and she kept telling us that she was sorry. She suspected that he was exposed to it while in the county shelter and asked us if we wanted to leave him there with her. We informed her that we were not going to give up on him and leave him there all alone. She sent us home with strong antibiotics and an IV to administer fluids. We were absolutely devastated. We had become so attached to him after only a few days. The next morning I got online to read everything I possibly could about distemper and 
it’s possible treatments. Within ten minutes I found your website and read all I could about the Newcastle serum. I hoped so badly that someone in our area was using this experimental treatment. I talked it over with my fiancé and we immediately decided to email you. It wasn’t two minutes later that you responded with a vet in our area who was using the treatment. I couldn’t believe our luck. It was 20 minutes away. Boomer’s symptoms were terrible but he never reached the point of having neurological problems. We immediately called his original vet to ask her if it would be alright to take him. She agreed that it would not interfere with the care she was already providing him and we were on our way. The staff at the clinic were exceptional. They informed us that sometimes the serum works and sometimes it does not and wanted us to be prepared for that. Boomer got his first serum shot that day. After a few early morning and evening visits his shots of the serum were complete and it was time to wait and see. In addition to distemper, Boomer also had kennel cough and for 
weeks he was on a number of antibiotics. We had to keep a journal because our poor little guy was taking so much medication. He was still very lethargic and looked so sad. During this time he would sleep with his head nuzzled up to our necks, I suppose to feel a heartbeat. I was constantly cleaning discharge out of his nose, giving him pills, trying to get him to eat or drink, nebulizing him in the bathroom… It was a difficult time and I was worried at first because Boomer did not seem to respond right away to the serum like I had seen in so many of your success stories. He was improving but it was at a slower pace. It took about two weeks for his nose and eyes to finally start clearing up and for his energy to return. Another week for the cough. It took months for me to leave the house and not worry about him. Only a month ago his dry little nose finally healed up. I just want people to know that every dog is different and not to be discouraged if their dog isn’t chasing it’s tail after the last dose of serum. It’s been 7 months since then and you would not know that Boomer was ever sick. He’s full of energy, loves people and other dogs and is incredibly sweet and silly. I especially love when he tilts his head when I talk to him. He’s just a great dog and I am so happy that we were able to find out about the Newcastle serum through you, Ed. He means the world to us and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I attached a couple of pictures of Boomer when he was sick and a video and a picture of him now. I’ll send the video in a separate email.
Sincerely,
Lindsay, Joe & Boomer
Phoenix, Arizona