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Onyx the Dog Overcomes Obstacles

Dr. Daniel Slaton may own the swankiest veterinary hospital in Ventura County, but he’s dedicated to helping dogs that are down on their luck.

Dr. Daniel Slaton may own the swankiest veterinary hospital in Ventura County, but he’s dedicated to helping dogs that are down on their luck. Most recently he saved the life of Onyx, a two-year old black lab that had been severely abused.

“The previous owner tried to amputate his leg, they literally tried to cut it off with gardening sheers. The wound got so infected they left him in the backyard for about two weeks after that, he had maggots all over him and was basically left there to die and rot,” said Slaton.

Onyx was found by the Kern County Animal Rescue and taken to Slaton’s hospital as a last stitch effort to save his life. Slaton didn’t think Onyx would make it through surgery, but today he runs, swims, and even surfs after extensive water rehabilitation.

“When I first started working with him I thought to myself a three legged surfing dog? I haven’t seen that yet. But he’s proved his worthiness in the pool so far,” said his surf instructor Larry Brambles.

Now that Onyx is back in full stride, he is going through service training so one day he can help children with disabilities know that they can lead active lives too. His trainer says he’s already helped people heal, and was there for her when she lost her own dog.

“Onyx was right there in my lap and he just knows, he knows. He’s very feeling, very caring, very sensitive,” said trainer Dawn Linley.

Onyx isn’t the first rescue dog that Slaton has rescued. He says he’s different from other vets because he takes risks on animals many would just give up on.

“I mean for me I don’t think I did anything extraordinary I just did my job maybe some people wouldn’t  have because they just don’t think he had a chance but that’s kind of where I differ from other vets. That I will try things even in the bleakest of outlooks,” said Slaton.

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