Mighty Hearts Project

07/04/2024

Have a wonderful 4th of July! Enjoy the celebrations, be safe. 🇺🇸 ❤️💥

05/06/2024

Hello Mighty Hearts Family,

Introducing to you to Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi, cardiologist at the Jasmine clinic as well as international advisor for patient placement and our very own, Isa Randle and Lucky, bringing you the most current vital information for Mitral Valve Disease and Repair surgery.

You asked, and we listened! Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi answered vital questions often asked on this page. We hope you enjoy this very informative interview.

We are honored to have interviewed Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi of the Jasmine Clinic where under Dr. Masami Uechi they perform canine mitral valve bypass repair surgeries. Dr. Takeuchi answers the most common

04/24/2024

Hello Mighty Hearts Family,

Introducing our Jasmine Heart surgeon, Dr. Masami Uechi and our very own, Isa Randle and Lucky, bringing you the most current vital information for Mitral Valve Disease Repair surgery.

You asked, and we listened! Dr. Masami Uechi answered vital questions often asked on this page. We hope you enjoy this very informative interview.

Stay tuned for part 2 next week as we interview Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi where she also answers your commonly asked questions.

In March of 2024 we had an in depth conversation with the amazing Dr. Masami Uechi where he discusses important topics regarding mitral valve repair and the differences between the TEER procedure and

02/16/2024

Hello Everyone,

Michelle Lawson-Fairfield and I were honored once again to be featured in Dr. Judy Morgan’s February Heart Month discussions. We discuss this life-saving mitral valve repair surgery and current statistics as well as the importance of fresh foods.

We hope this information is helpful as we continue to expand our educational information. In closing, we just want to say how proud we are of all of you here for wanting to learn about this information and in the areas of nutrition so your babies can thrive, there’s hope in this diagnosis. 🐶❤️ 💪

Nate, Michelle, and Isa

Mighty Hearts Team

Additional resources,

More resources

The best resources from Dr. Judy on heart health, heart disease causes, risk-factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Read her blogs to learn more, Download recipes, and shop her product picks.

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 Let’s see those beautiful Christmas pictures with your pups and your families.

We want to thank you all for the amazing support you provide to each other during such difficult times in our lives. It truly means the world knowing you're not alone in this disease and repair process. We wish you all a very blessed holiday.

Special thank you to all the surgical teams involved with the mitral valve repair surgery. We are forever thankful for your dedication in saving our precious babies' lives ❤️🐶

The Mighty Hearts Project Team

12/06/2023

📢 Urgent Notice About DWR Clinic 📢

It with great sadness we have been told today by the team at Dick White Referrals Specialist Veterinary Centre (DWR) in Cambridgeshire UK the following,

“It is with regret that we need to advise our clients and referring vets that DWR will be halting the Open Heart Surgery Programme for the foreseeable future, as Dr Poppy Bristow has made the difficult decision to move on to explore new professional challenges.”

We know some of our families are currently planning surgery and have already been contacted by DWR to seek the repair at the other two clinics we support, RVC and Jasmine. We are very sorry to hear about this news and appreciate the two years Dr. Poppy Bristow and her team dedicated to saving your babies.

If you haven’t already please have your cardiologist contact either center with your pup's detailed records, reports, X-rays, echo’s images, moving echo videos and have them CC you so you can confirm it was properly sent to the clinic.

For those seeking to go to Japan (Jasmine Clinic), if you haven’t started the 180-day quarantine process please do so immediately. You can find this guidance on the USDA’s website or visit our Jasmine webpage.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-japan

https://mightyheartsproject.org/jasmine

For those looking for guidance to the RVC, please see tbe USDA website or visit our RVC webpage

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/eu-echinococcus/pet-travel-echinococcus-treatments-uk

https://mightyheartsproject.org/rvc

09/01/2023

Hello Everyone,

Last year, Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi, Dr. Masami Uechi and other vital staff at the Jasmine Clinic in Yokohama Japan were gracious enough to host a seminar to educate our Mighty Hearts families on what is Canine Mitral Valve Repair (MVR).

Topics discussed include:
-Candidacy
-Surgical Risk factors
-Steps of the procedure and a visual of the components of the heart and chambers and what the repair surgery entails
-Most importantly the latest statistics achieved by the Jasmine clinic which are pretty amazing

We hope this seminar helps you all understand the intricacies of this procedure and just how amazing the Jasmine team is. Pleased feel free to share this important video with you Veterinary Cardiologist as I’m sure they will benefit from the very impressive surgical statistics.

We appreciate your support, as we continue to support you and your beautiful family members.

Sincerely,

The Mighty Hearts Project Team

Nate Estes, Michelle Lawson-Fairfield, Isa Randle

Last year, Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi, Dr. Masami Uechi and other vital staff at the Jasmine Clinic in Yokohama Japan were gracious enough to host a seminar to educate our Mighty Hearts families on what is C

11/12/2022

Hey Everyone,

We’ve added a few more items to our online merch store. An embroidered Mighty Hearts sherpa blanket in black and gray and embroidered premium hoodies in multiple colors. We hope you and your pups like them as much as we do.

https://mightyheartsproject.org/shop/mighty-hearts-premium-unisex-embroidered-hoodie

https://mightyheartsproject.org/shop/mighty-hearts-embroidered-premium-sherpa-blanket

The embroidered premium sherpa blanket has fleece fabric on one side and super-soft sherpa fabric on the other that’ll keep you warm and snug. The blanket’s plush look makes it a great home accessory and supports a great cause. • 100% polyester fleece on one side • 100% polyester sherpa on t...

07/08/2022

Hello Everyone,

After speaking with the Jasmine clinic we have decided to cover the entire costs of this mitral valve repair surgery seminar fees for all the spots of this seminar.

The Jasmine clinic will be refunding all who have already paid and they will continue to hold your Zoom spot for the seminar. You all should have already received an email invite.

They still have 18 more remaining slots available for those here that are still interested in learning more about this life-saving mitral valve repair surgery, so please those that wish to learn more about this surgery and its highly success rates.

Please sign up by following link below before Saturday July 9th 2022. The $30.00 fee is waived.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMSQK6rMN2cItdpcLKZAvB3LPYhy7IAKHQ_lBIuB3UtwGV8Q/viewform?fs=e&s=cl

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The seminar will start this Saturday July 9th at 5:30 pm (PST), 8:30 pm (EST). We hope more are able to attend this very informative session.
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Nate Estes
Mighty Hearts Project

05/02/2022

How sweet is this? One of our members on the plane now is heading for Japan for mitral valve repair surgery at the Jasmine どうぶつ循環器病センター clinic. Safe travels 🤗❤️🐶🙏✈️

04/26/2022

Hey Everybody,

Today April 26th, 2022, we interviewed Dr. Dan Brockman to discuss the latest information regarding the open-heart mitral valve repair program. We talked about his overall success rates, costs, and aftercare requirements. We hope this helps everyone looking to go to the RVC for MVD Repair surgery.

Nate Estes & Michelle Lawson-Fairfield

Mighty Hearts Project

Hey Everybody, Today April 26th, 2022, we interviewed Dr. Dan Brockman to discuss the latest information regarding the open-heart mitral valve repair program. We talked about his overall success rates

04/15/2022

Great live with Dr. Judy Morgan. We discussed in detail mitral valve disease and repair as well as supplements and education as well as what we do to help families get to repair surgery safely.

01/10/2022

Hey Everyone,

The moment we've been waiting for.

We’ve finally finished our Mighty Hearts Project merchandise store. We are so excited to bring this to you. Every store purchase will aid us in our mission to continue to raise awareness about canine mitral valve disease and repair.

Please help support our cause by making a purchase today. We hope you love them and are proud to wear them and share in raising the much needed awareness towards this important cause.

By making an online purchase you will be supporting our nonprofits mission while also spreading awareness to others there is hope in the fight against canine mitral valve disease, (MVD).

01/01/2022

🎊 Happy New Years 2022 🎉

Thank you for the love and support you all give to each other in this community, it certainly has been a challenging year. As we wrap up this year and focus on the coming new year let’s see those beautiful pictures or videos here of your pups ringing in the new year.

Have a safe & Happy New Year’s 💥🎊🎉🎈🎆

The Mighty Hearts Project Team ❤️🐶

12/21/2021

Hula update from Dad. 🤗❤️🐶

Mitral valve repair surgery
Day 06
Dick White Referrals

Well….Dad came to visit me again today. I thought that they were going to let me go back with him today but the plan is for me to get a cardiac ultrasound (what the heck is that?) tomorrow so it was though that it would be better to keep me for one more night. Why don’t they ever ask me what I want to do? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ But Craig and Dr Poppy and the heart team are so nice to me. They give me chicken which I am now eating - I already showed them how smart I can be by avoiding food so I could get my Dad to come - but honestly, I’m hungry! 🍔🍕So I’m going to eat and I think I’ve done well enough that I will jail break tomorrow!

My Dad says I’m a fighter and that I’m tough and I am going to fight to get out of here - even though I like everyone here - because, well, I miss my Dad ❤️❤️! (I’m not so bad with emojis right?). They even let me sleep with my favorite gray blanket. It’s sooo soft!!

Today, I had a feeling Dad was coming so I kept pulling to go to the waiting area when I was walked and guess what? I was waiting in there when Dad came and I came walking up to him and gave him a big kiss 💋 and I was wagging my tail and doing all my gyrations that show him how much I love him. ❤️❤️ I see how happy he is to see me too and that makes me sooooo happy. I even think I saw a tear in his eye. He gets emotional sometimes but that’s what makes him my Dad.

The doctors are really pleased with how I am doing except sometimes I growl at some of the other dogs. I don’t really mean anything by it - I just want them to know that I’m in charge here! All the people taking care of me are amazing and without them maybe I wouldn’t be in such good straits so I am forever grateful to them. And now I get to spend Christmas with my Dad. That will be the best present of all. 🎁💝

Anyways, enough of me…

Keep on believing everyone- there is pixie dust for all that Believe! 🧚‍♂️😘❤️

Cheers

Hula

12/18/2021

Hula update from Dad for Saturday:

Day 04
Mitral valve repair surgery
Dick White Referrals

The doctor called early this morning and asked me to come visit. Hula is not really eating so she thought that my presence might encourage her to respond. So…Mark (my driver and friend) and I stopped at a grocery on the way and picked up some canned salmon and some grilled chicken.

When we arrived, Hula again came bounding into the waiting room and was much more energetic and soooooooo happy to see me. And the feeling was very mutual! She immediately smelled the cooked chicken and “demanded” some and I of course obliged. She also happily gobbled up some salmon. I took her for a short walk and she seemed happy.

The doctor said that she had a heart scan and that she was pleased with the results. Hula had a couple incidents overnight where her Blood Pressure was briefly elevated and her heart rate elevated briefly. But the doctor seems not be concerned. Her other vitals are stable. No fever.

I was also lucky enough to meet Dr Poppy’s Cockapoo. That was awesome. She is the nicest and kindest doctor. Hula is so lucky to be here under her care. This was really the right place to go and again so grateful for Michelle Lawson-Fairfield and Mighty Hearts for making this happen.

And no dirty laundry today!!

Off to a Pub for a few……

Cheerio

Jeff

12/17/2021

Hula update from Dad,

Day 3
Mitral valve repair surgery
Dick White Referrals

Hello to all the Mighty Hearts out there.

A much better day for Hula. I was allowed to spend a good hour and a half with her today. Instead of meeting her at her kennel like yesterday she came bounding around the corner and to the waiting area on leash with Dr Poppy. She was wagging her tail and came bounding up to me and a big lick on the face.

The doctor said she was doing well. She really hasn’t eaten yet and done her business so to speak. But she was off oxygen and all her vitals were normal. She had been taken off the pain meds and she seemed to have much more energy than yesterday. Today she was a much different dog.

Happier, less sedated and walking around. Hard to believe it had been less than 3 days from heart surgery. She was much more vital. I encouraged her to eat as they brought her some chicken and hamburger and cream cheese. At first she rejected it but after they warmed up the chicken she ate a few bites. I was able to get her to eat quite a bit of cream cheese.

She seemed to prefer the softer food rather than chewing. But the staff was happy that she ate! The IVs were removed today so it wa good that she had some food.

I picked her up and held her on my lap and she decided to take care of the other bodily function that she had not done - until then. So tonite I am doing laundry. 🤣🤣. I was also allowed to take her for a short walk outside the clinic and she handled it great.

All in all, the best day so far. I feel like I am getting my Hula back. They also did a heart scan today and the doctor was pleased with the results.

The attention that this doctor gives is incredible. She seems to work endless days and cares so much. I think we all should be assured that Dr Poppy is an amazing doctor and caring person - the perfect combination.

It was sad to let her go and she definitely did not want to be extricated from being with me but such is the way it goes and she has to heal still.

We have a true Mighty Heart in Hula. She is a warrior and will keep fighting. Long day but good day. Onward and upward. Keep believing!

Jeff 💪❤️🐶

12/16/2021

Hula update from Dad since having her mitral valve repair surgery at DWR hospital only three days ago 💪🐶❤️,

Reunited and it feels so good!!!
Dick White Referrals

Hula update from Dad since having her mitral valve repair surgery at DWR hospital three days ago 💪🐶❤️,

Reunited and it feels so good!!!

Hula update:

So….big day today! Dr. Poppy thought it would be ok to visit Hula in the hospital today and it was great!

First of all, quite an impressive operation at Dick White Referrals in the UK! Everyone and everything is so organized and prompt and responsive. People here are so kind!

I was brought to the area where Hula is resting and healing and she was awake but didn’t seem to recognize me. She is very heavily sedated and on pain meds. They then took me to a small room to wait for Hula. Dr. Poppy brought her to me and it was very emotional for me.

Hula wagged her tail and licked my face and wanted me to pick her up which I did. And I just held her in my arms. I was told I could only have her for 10 minutes but I was allowed to have her for 40 mins. She was quiet and happy and relaxed. I was overjoyed with happiness. She looked great. She was lethargic and tired but happy to be in my arms. I didn’t want to give her up.

The doctor told me that she was pleased so far but we were not out of the woods yet. The surgical area was clean. She was almost completely shaved. And she had an IV in her neck. Her labs are normal except for a slight elevation in her pancreatic enzymes which they are monitoring.

I tried to get her to eat but she refused. They even brought in some chicken and hamburger and cream cheese but it wasn’t happening. They said this wasn’t abnormal.

I will probably go back tomorrow. Leaving her wasn’t easy. I know she is scared and doesn’t understand but it has to be this way. Trading a few days for more years is a good trade as far as I’m concerned.

Emotionally draining day but GREAT!! Remember - hold your loved ones close and always BELIEVE! There are magical people in this world and I have met some of them.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and all your support and kind messages. This is so hard but you all have helped me through this!! I am eternally grateful!!

Until the next time ❤️

Jeff

12/14/2021

Meet Hula, she’s the first Mighty Hearts Project member to have her heart repaired at the Dick White Referrals Veterinary Hospital in Cambridge, UK. We are very proud of this new program and of Dr. Poppy Bristow and her entire team at DWR that are performing this life saving mitral valve repair surgery.

We will soon be providing more details as we discuss with the DWR team in detail on pricing, logistics, recovery and best contact methods if you wish to book with them for repair surgery.

For now, Meet the team

➡️ Poppy Bristow - Head of cardiac surgery
➡️ Jackie Demetriou - Head of surgery
➡️ Craig Bailey - Cardiac surgery nurse
➡️ Anne Kurosawa - Head of cardiology
➡️ Hayley McDonald - Cardiology diploma holder
➡️ Freddie Corletto - Head of anesthesia
➡️ Nigel Cross Perfusionist, who will be operating the heart-lung bypass machine during surgery

A message from Hula’s Daddy today,

Heart surgery for Hula at DWR clinic day 1:

Early start to the day. Pick up at 6:30 am. Arrived at the Hospital for 8 am surgery. Dr Poppy Bristow met us and reassured us and took Hula away. She has amazing bedside manor. And just as a BTW, she sent me a personal email last night to also reassure me and tell me that Hula would be ok and they would do their best. As a physician myself, this is a rare degree of kindness.

So off I went. Back to Harpenden House and waiting for the first phone call. Needless to say, some of the longest hours I have ever spent. My call from Dr Poppy came in about 1:45 later than I expected and I was climbing the walls. Only so many times you can clean and vacuum. Good news: Hula was off the heart lung machine. She had much more severe disease than expected but they were able to repair all the chords and Dr Poppy was pleased with the results. Hula also had an allergic reaction to one of the meds but they reacted quickly and were able to stop it.

I just got my second call telling me that she was weaned successfully off the Ventilator. Her oxygen levels are low so they are giving her supplemental oxygen now. She is off to the ICU for close monitoring but she is alert and responsive.

To my little girl: You are strong and you are resilient, you are brave and you are deserving of all the love I can give you. I am so grateful to be able to give you the strength and the opportunity to live again. We have a long road ahead and the next few weeks will be challenging but I somehow will find the strength to match your courage! ❤️❤️❤️ You are truly a Mighty Heart!

Until tomorrow

Jeff

12/08/2021

So....we have some really good news!!!!!

Today, one of our members is headed to England with his dog for mitral valve repair surgery with Dr. Poppy Bristow. Our member is in the air, as we speak.

Dr. Bristow is currently heading up the the program at Dick White Referrals in Cambridgeshire.

There are several members in our group who are quite familiar with Dr. Bristow. Dr. Bristow has performed countless surgeries on our Mighty Pups.

We are planning to bring you a lot of information on her program very soon.

Our member will be having surgery this December 14th, we are very excited to offer another excellent surgeon to help our members and their beloved dogs in the fight against this terrible disease.

Please stay tuned for much more information on Dr. Bristow and her program.

Also, a huge shout out to Tony McFarland from
Harpenden House Serviced Apartments who has always been so kind to our Mighty RVC families and has been working with our member for the last month with lodging.

11/25/2021

************ IMPORTANT ANNOUNCENT **********

Mighty Hearts Project wanted to inform our members that the contract with University of Florida and the Jasmine Clinic will expire on December 15, 2021 and unfortunately it will not be renewed.

Mighty Hearts Project will bring you more information very soon.

Nate Estes & Michelle Lawson-Fairfield

Mighty Hearts Project

09/24/2021

Thank you Brad Perry for submitting your mitral valve repair surgery story for Chloe. What an amazing journey you have experienced. We are so happy your baby is doing well and that everyone in this community could help you. Your stories give waiting families so much hope especially now during these difficult times.

Chloe’s Story,

It’s a truly amazing experience that we took a dog to Japan in Stage D heart failure, panting, bluish tongue, at the end of her life and now she’s been given the gift of time. She is happy, frisky and like her old self again. We are extremely fortunate.

09/21/2021

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to share with you all this great free virtual pet gut health summit hosted by many of my Holistic Veterinarian friends and industry pet nutrition friends. I believe in the power of fresh healthy nutrition and it all starts in the gut.

Our babies can use this free professional guidance from these fantastic minds in keeping them healthy and stable long term. Enjoy the summit.

🤗 ❤️ 🐶 🥦 🥩

https://get.securecustomerhub.com/dghs-digital-drive/?__affiliate=odettesuter

The Dog Gut Health Summit features 20+ World Leading Veterinarians and Pet Health Experts Who Will Share The Secrets To Optimal Dog Gut Health And Better Digestion for A Healthier, Happier Life!

09/04/2021

Another amazing Mitral Valve Repair surgery journey is up on our websites MVR Pet Profile section. Please read Michelle’s inspiring story about her baby Madison. There is Hope with canine mitral valve disease.

Michelle’s story and hundreds of others show that. Visit our Pet Profile section on our website and read hundreds of stories like Michelle’s of families we’ve helped save.

https://mightyheartsproject.org/pet-profiles

In May 2019, Madison went to her primary vet, Dr. Katrina Johnson, for a routine visit and I was shocked she discovered a heart murmur. I was shocked to say the least. I was there 2 weeks prior for a cyst on her back, and there was no mention of a heart murmur.

06/25/2021

Thank you James Kay & Jennifer Akladious for sharing your beautiful mitral valve repair journey with us. What an incredible story. We wish you many more beautiful years with your adorable baby Snickers 🐶❤️🎉🤗💕

https://mightyheartsproject.org/pet-profile-posting/snickers-kay

December 2019, I noticed our 11-year-old chihuahua was breathing very fast. I asked my fiancé, James, if this was normal, he quickly answered no. Immediately, that night, we rushed our dog, Snickers to the nearest emergency veterinarian hospital.

06/16/2021

Another beautiful mitral valve repair surgery story is live on our website's pet profile page.

https://mightyheartsproject.org/pet-profile-posting/dumpling-yean?fbclid=IwAR0QVlX7jqdjSeAXp3gk3MQBMfNFGIc_5chucMPWiGj9DZ_ojAfb6gC7eV0

It all started when Dumpling, just turned ten years old. He was due for a full annual exam, I noted that he had a cough. My vet noticed a heart murmur that was never detected before when we were living abroad in France

05/20/2021

🐶🥦🐱🥩

Per Dr. Morgan,

The Natural Pet Care Summit May 21-23
We are just 24 hours away from the start of The Natural Pet Care Summit May 21-23. I am so excited for this lineup of experts!

How it works: when it is time for the session to start, simply click the corresponding session link to join the Zoom webinar. Then, enter your name and the email you used to register and click OK. Feel free to type your questions in the chat box once we get started.

Each session has its own link to join. You will also be sent a reminder email 1 hour before each session with the link to join.

Can't attend live? No problem! You will receive an email with access to all of the recordings afterwards that you can watch at your own convenience.

Register here,

https://drjudymorgan.com/pages/natural-pet-care-summit-may-21-23

This is a very informative event to register and attend this weekend. We know most of the speakers lecturing, the information you will learn for your companion animals is so valuable. They will discuss proper species-appropriate nutrition and holistic veterinary care. Please register and attend, your precious babies will thank you for it.

Here is the schedule and subjects of the talks for tomorrow Saturday May 21st. You will get the links to the zoom after you register, link above.

Billy Hoekman
Nourishing the Modern Canine Using Fermented Foods

12pm EST
Dr. Peter Dobias
Skin Allergies - Natural Ways to Help Your Dog

4pm EST
Kimberly Gauthier
Keep the Tail Wagging

7pm EST
Holly Ganz, PhD
Chronic Digestive Disorders in Pets

Sunday, May 23, 2021
10am EST
Dr. Michele Broadhurst
Myofascial Pain in the Canine Patient

1pm EST
Heather Szasz
Dogs Mirror Our Energy - How We Impact Their Behavior

4pm EST
Dr. Dee Blanco
The Benefits of Homeopathy for Pets

I am so excited for another Natural Pet Care Summit this weekend, May 21-23. Make sure you are registered to attend (using the link below) to get access to the live sessions and a copy of the recordings. These videos will NOT be shared on Facebook like last time, so make sure to register even if you can't attend live!

https://drjudymorgan.com/pages/natural-pet-care-summit-may-21-23
⬆⬆⬆⬆REGISTER HERE⬆⬆⬆⬆