Good Samaritans save therapy cat

It was the answer to nine-year-old Peyton Weiderick's prayers.

Veterinarians at Saskatoon's Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) used a special Good Samaritan fund to save his cat,Clijsters.

Weiderick is autistic, and has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a sensitivity disorder. He relies on the cat to calm him down when he gets upset.

"When he would come home from school, he would have complete meltdowns at the door, and he had trouble with any kind of transitioning," said his mom Kalinda. "But with the kittens, he would pick one up, rub it all over his face, smell it, and he was ready to be home."

Last month, Clijsters was diagnosed with a serious dental disease called feline gingivostomatitis, also known as hamburger mouth. The disease causes severe swelling in the mouths of cats, sometimes requiring the animal's teeth to be pulled out.

The disease could be treated, but costsaround $3,000.

The familydidn't have the money and was worried itwould have to give Clijsters away to another family that could pay the vet bills.

But thankfully, the WCVM agreed to pay the entire bill.

"When he [Peyton]first heard about her surgery, he prayed really, really hard, that God would provide someone or somehow that this would be taken care of for him," Karlinda said. "He was so excited that his prayers were answered and that someone cared enough about him to give to his cat."

"Every time he went to the hospital, he made sure to wear a white dress shirt so he could look like the vets there, because he wanted them to know how thankful he was."

The family also raised $950 online. The money will be used to pay for medication Clijsters will need to take for the rest of herlife.

If you would like to contribute to the WCVM Good Samaritan Fund, contact the WCVM Development Office at 306-966-7268.