Andersonville Community Rallies Behind Beloved Therapy Dog Jay in Cancer Battle
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Andersonville ·
The heart of Andersonville is on full display this week as residents come together to support one of the neighborhood's most cherished figures—Jay, a three-year-old golden retriever therapy dog recently diagnosed with spinal cancer.
Jay has become a familiar and beloved presence at the corner of Winnemac and Glenwood for the past couple of years, where his owner Junco Newman tends to a small garden at her senior apartment complex. The friendly golden retriever discovered the serenity of gardening and now prefers spending his days outdoors, greeting neighbors and passersby who stop to pet him and say hello. "Each time people stop by and pet him and say 'hi Jay'—he gets so happy, lies down and shows his belly," Newman told local media. After Jay's cancer diagnosis, Andersonville resident Corwin Christie created a GoFundMe campaign to help with the massive costs of treatment, which has already raised over
Beyond his neighborhood fame, Jay serves as a certified therapy dog, visiting patients at Jesse Brown VA Hospital and Northwestern Hospital. "Jay loved sitting in the big conference room and they pet him. Each time someone comes in, he knows what to do. He makes them happy and they give him treats," Newman explained. Visibly moved by the community's response, Newman shared, "It's unbelievable, this is the hardest time for me. If I could keep Jay healthy and happy for years, this support—I can't thank people enough." Andersonville residents wishing to contribute to Jay's medical fund can find the GoFundMe online or simply visit him at his usual corner spot.
Sources:
1. https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/fixture-of-the-neighborhood-andersonville-rallies-around-beloved-therapy-dog-battling-cancer/
2. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/fixture-neighborhood-andersonville-rallies-around-154705497.html
3. https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/midwest/andersonville-therapy-dog-jay-cancer/