Riverside Drive Animal Care Center veterinarians to volunteer their expertise to ensure a positive experience for every potential canine donor
DUBLIN, Ohio – June 10, 2024 – In celebration of World Blood Donor Day, the American Red Cross, The Greyhound Health Initiative (GHI) and Ohio Pet Charities will present the World Blood Donor Day & Pet Expo on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Dublin Community Recreation Center located at 5600 Post Road. Dublin’s very own
Riverside Drive Animal Care Center, a
Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, will screen potential canine blood donors.
Riverside Drive Animal Care Center veterinarians Drs. David McGuffin and Gina Doss will volunteer their time to conduct screening exams for potential blood donors. They will evaluate the dogs based on their cooperative nature and relaxed attitude.
“We take great pride in participating in this significant event and supporting The Greyhound Health Initiative,” said Dr. David McGuffin, veterinarian at Riverside Drive Animal Care Center. “By volunteering our time for the screening exams, we aim to ensure a positive and comfortable blood donation experience for every potential donor. Our team is committed to saving canine lives.”
It is important to note that this event is solely a screening process to assess potential donors. No dogs will have blood drawn on-site during the event.
In addition to the canine blood donor screenings, the Red Cross will be doing a blood drive for people and Ohio Pet Charities will have pet vendors, food trucks and activities.
About the GHI Blood Bank and Blood Donor Program
The GHI blood bank plays a crucial role in supplying life-saving products to veterinary hospitals and emergency clinics, enabling them to respond promptly to emergencies. Proceeds from the sale of these products cover administrative costs associated with running the blood bank.
“Our canine blood donors are heroes and can save up to four lives every time they donate,” said Mandy Albert, President/Executive Director of GHI. “Currently, veterinary hospitals face up to a 2-month waitlist for universal blood. We need the community’s support in finding more canine blood donors to save more lives.”
The GHI Blood Donor Program welcomes dogs of all breeds, not just greyhounds, that meet the following criteria:
Age between 1 and 7 years
Weigh at least 50 lbs.
Healthy, friendly and comfortable in the veterinarian's office
On year-round heartworm and flea/tick preventatives
Able to donate once every two months (six times per year)
Reside within a convenient driving distance to Dublin, Ohio
Dogs meeting the program requirements will receive several benefits, including a free physical exam, bloodwork, chemistry profile, serological tests for heartworm disease and tick-borne diseases, free blood products for life (even after ceasing to be a donor), free year-round flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives, discounted or free exams, and an inscribed tag to acknowledge their contribution.
Riverside Drive Animal Care Center provides vital support to The Greyhound Health Initiative by sharing clinic space and laboratory equipment, offering free annual exams to blood donors, providing heartworm and flea preventatives to maintain donor health, and raising awareness about the blood donor program among eligible patients.
About Thrive Pet Healthcare:
Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service community that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and more than 380 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit
www.thrivepetcare.com.
About The Greyhound Health Initiative
The Greyhound Health Initiative is committed to improving the health and well-being of sighthounds and other dogs in need. By operating a blood bank and implementing various programs, The Greyhound Health Initiative ensures that life-saving blood products are readily available to veterinarians and emergency clinics, allowing them to provide the best care to their patients in critical situations. To learn more about The Greyhound Health Initiative, visit
https://greyhoundhealthinitiative.org.
