The Simile-Finale Fund
 

Finale, Elizabeth, Simile. The Simile-Finale Fund inspirations and founder

The Simile-Finale Fund was established in 1998 to provide acupuncture treatment for GRREAT dogs.  It has since evolved to provide other alternative sources of holistic medical care, such as swim therapy, Reiki (a healing and relaxation technique), TENS (electrical stimulation to control pain), animal communication, homeopathic treatment, Chinese herbs, vitamins, joint and other supplements, and flower essences.  The fund has helped our rescued Golden Retrievers recover from a wide variety of medical conditions including surgeries, accident injuries, neurological and muscular deficits, pain, arthritis and the effects of aging, separation anxiety, thunderstorm and noise phobias, and allergies. 

The announcement of the Simile-Finale fund appeared in the January/February 1998 issue of the GRREAT News along with the following letter provided by the founder, Elizabeth Oberdorfer, who made a very generous contribution to start the fund:

Dear GRREAT,

I was very pleased with the acupuncture and holistic therapy administered to my dogs, Simile and Finale, by Dr. Kocen.

In their memory, I enclose my check … in the name of the Simile-Finale Fund, to provide acupuncture therapy for dogs in your care. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Oberdorfer

"Simile" was the nickname for Elizabeth’s Golden Retriever "Facsimile", who looked just like another Golden Retriever that had once belonged to Elizabeth’s son.  "Finale" was the name given to another of Elizabeth’s Goldens, and she was the last born in a litter of pups.  Both girls had been under the care of Dr. Jordan Kocen before he began to specialize in the holistic treatment of dogs.  Vitamins and special diets had been recommended, and when Simile developed carcinoma in her shoulder, acupuncture was performed to help her overcome the pain associated with the illness.  Finale also received acupuncture treatments to help improve her mobility as she aged.  After witnessing the positive benefits of veterinary acupuncture, Elizabeth was moved to start the Simile-Finale Fund so that rescued Golden Retrievers could be helped by this type of medical care.

By the end of 2009, GRREAT had helped 37 Goldens with a variety of alternative treatments provided by donations made to the Simile-Finale Fund.

If you would like to help us continue to treat our rescued Golden Retrievers in need of swim therapy and other holistic treatments, please visit our donation page, where you can make a contribution to the Simile-Finale Fund.  Thank you!