The AMC Hosts Third Annual Living Legends Luncheon

(New York, NY – May 19, 2011) The Animal Medical Center (AMC) held its Third Annual Living Legends Luncheon at The Harmonie Club in NYC on Wednesday, May 18. More than 130 attendees celebrated the amazing stories of two companion animals - Amos, The Burmese Cat and Herbie, The Labrador Retriever - who received treatment at The Animal Medical Center. The Living Legends Luncheon was hosted by Kathryn Coyne, AMC’s Chief Executive Officer, along with event co-chairs Barbara Hoffman, Kane Nussbaum, Annette Osnos and Helene Stein.

Among the guests were AMC Trustees Donna Acquavella, Dr. Elisabeth Cohen, Alexandra Goelet, Eli Hoffman, Emilia Krimendahl, Elaine Langone, Jim and Ellen Marcus, Libby Monaco McCarthy, Katharine and William Rayner and Janet York. Other notable guests included The Honarable Anne Radice, Michael Heaner, Joanne Breyer, Frances Hayward and David Ford.
Welcome remarks were provided by Robert Liberman, Chairman of The AMC’s Board of Trustees. AMC veterinarians Drs. Janet Kovak McClaran and Sarah Petre-Daniel provided an overview of Amos’ extraordinary case, while Drs. Kate Buriko, Rachael Currao and Nicole Spurlock outlined details of Herbie’s remarkable case. Guests recognized that neither pet would be alive today without the treatments and care they received at The AMC and celebrated both Herbie the Labrador Retriever and Amos the Burmese Cat as true Living Legends.

Funds raised from the Living Legends Luncheon will continue to support The AMC, a non-profit teaching institution, which is universally recognized as one of the world’s most comprehensive hospitals for companion animals. With a distinguished 100-year legacy, The AMC sets the standard for quality medical care, research breakthroughs and education.

About Amos, The Burmese Cat
After losing a beloved pet a year earlier, Deborah and Peter Lamm had just started enjoying life with their new kitten, Amos. Unexpectedly, within days of being neutered at his local veterinarian, Amos became extremely lethargic and feverish. This began a terrifying two months of numerous veterinary visits and surgeries that continued to leave Deborah and Peter without answers. They were eventually told there was nothing more they could do to treat Amos, and that he should be put to sleep. Unconvinced and unwilling to give up hope, Deborah made an appointment at The AMC with Dr. John Broussard. Fifteen minutes into the appointment a diagnosis was made and surgery was scheduled for the next day with Dr. Janet Kovak McClaran. During the procedure, Dr. McClaran and her team took on the rigorous task of removing Amos’ pylorus, the part of the stomach which attaches to the small intestine, and reattaching the stomach to the small intestine. Soon after, Amos began to make a miraculous recovery and would return home a few days later! Unfortunately, Amos’ story does not end there. Just eight months ago, at the age of five, Amos suddenly became very sick while on vacation with his owners. Suspecting his situation was critical, Deborah drove Amos from Rhode Island directly to The AMC, where Amos underwent a second emergency surgery performed by Dr. Sarah Petre. This time, Dr. Petre found an eight-inch segment of Amos’ intestine that had become twisted. Yet again, his intestine was remodeled and Amos made his second remarkable recovery. Today Deborah and Peter say that Amos is strong and vital, with the purr of a pigeon and a tendency to bark and howl for attention. He is incredibly cute and affectionate and adores his older Burmese brother, Otis. They know that Amos would not be alive today without the depth of expertise only found at The AMC. Deborah and Peter remain forever grateful for the calm confidence of The AMC’s veterinarians and the compassion of its staff. Amos is a true living legend!

About Herbie The Labrador Retriever
Herbie was just three months old when he was brought to The Animal Medical Center in December of 2010. Lisa Roumell and Mark Rosenthal had enjoyed only three weeks as the proud owners of their first puppy, when Herbie became critically ill. After seeking a diagnosis from several veterinarians, Lisa and Mark brought Herbie to The AMC where he was finally diagnosed with leptospirosis, a bacterial infection which damages the kidneys, liver, and lungs. With only a 10% chance of survival, Herbie began treatment immediately. He required the teamwork of several specialists, led by Dr. Kate Buriko of The AMC’s Critical Care and Emergency Service. Herbie underwent hemodialysis to replace the normal function of his kidneys, followed by emergency surgery to correct an intestinal problem that had developed as a result of his symptoms. A blood transfusion was also required and was quickly provided by Dr. Andrea Monnig’s own dog. Herbie’s care and recovery required that he spend three weeks in the ICU. With daily visits from Lisa, Mark, and their children, along with unlimited attention from the ICU staff, including Dr. Rachel Currao’s special homemade chicken recipe to renew his interest in food, Herbie’s spirits were lifted and he was able to return home. Lisa and Mark know that without the incredible medical treatment he received, Herbie would not be with them today. The AMC’s extra “human touch” made all the difference. Today, Herbie appears to be fully recovered and his family reports that he loves chasing balls around the kitchen, unrolling the toilet paper, and showing off his smarts when learning new tricks. The AMC is honored to call him a living legend!

About The Animal Medical Center
The Animal Medical Center located on the Upper East Side in New York City is a non-profit veterinary center that has been a national leader in animal care since 1910. As an academic veterinary hospital, The AMC promotes the health and well-being of companion animals through advanced treatment, research and education. The AMC staff is comprised of over 90 veterinarians who utilize an interdisciplinary team approach combining expertise across specialty areas and services to care for your pet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information about The AMC, please visit: http://www.amcny.org.