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PETS WITHOUT WALLS TRULY SAVES LIVES

Helen Woodward Animal Center Veterinary Assistant Helps Save the Life of Alpha Project Human Client during Animal-Focused Visit

(Elizabeth Valocchi spends her days caring for animals at Helen Woodward Animal Center.)

Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.  (May 24, 2018) – Helen Woodward Animal Center’s mission of “People Helping Animals, Animals Helping People” can be seen in the incredible actions of the Center’s veterinary team during their bi-weekly Pets Without Walls visits. The Center’s latest program, dedicated to providing health checks, spay-and-neuter services, and supplies to the dogs and cats who reside with homeless families touches countless lives at the Alpha Project’s Temporary Bridge Shelter and at Father Joe’s San Diego Neil Good Day Center.  But last Wednesday, a unique occurrence at a scheduled visit, highlighted the mission in a truly heroic way.  Elizabeth Valocchi, Center veterinarian assistant, stopped her work with animals to help save the life of an Alpha Project client suffering a heart attack.

Valocchi, who has worked with the Center since 2015, was busy serving pets during a Pets Without Walls visit at the Alpha Projects Temporary Bridge Shelter on Wednesday, May 16th when she overheard an individual saying that a woman had just collapsed.  Finding the woman unresponsive and without a heartbeat, Valocchi immediately began chest compressions, staying vigilant until the ambulance arrived approximately five minutes later.  Once the woman was safe in the hands of the EMTs, Valocchi returned to her work helping animals.

“I am incredibly impressed with the heroic and humble way Liz (Valocchi) handled this situation,” stated Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms.  “I see the hearts of our staff members in the work they do.  They put so much love into it.  Liz regularly works with the Pet Without Walls Program to give back to the world.  She did that and more last Wednesday.”

Valocchi considers the action “all in a day’s work.”  Asked about the incident, she explained, “The EMTs and the doctors are the true heroes. I’ve been trained in the medical field and I was just happy to assist until they arrived.”

Alpha Project CEO Bob McElroy extended his own thanks to Valocchi saying, “Alpha Project would like to thank Liz Valocchi, a Vet Technician at Helen Woodward, who was at the temporary bridge shelter volunteering her services.  One of our residents suffered from a seizure and complete cardiac arrest and it was due to Liz’s quick action in administering CPR that saved her life.  It is a tremendous blessing that Liz was there and we are extremely grateful.”

To learn more about Pets Without Walls or make a donation to support the ongoing operational expenses, please contact Helen Woodward Animal Center VP of Development Renee Resko at (858) 756-4117 x 347 or by email at ReneeR@animalcenter.org.

For general questions, please contact Helen Woodward Animal Center at 858-756-4117 or click onto www.animalcenter.org.

Due to Hurricane Hilary, all  departments will be closing at 3pm today.  Stay safe!