Helping veterinary medicine’s unsung heroes: Finn’s Friends Fund supports CSU technicians
Veterinary technicians are the backbone of animal care—managing complex medical cases, offering emotional support to pets and families, and often navigating financial pressures of their own. To recognize their essential role at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, three private donors established Finn’s Friends Fund in 2022. The fund honors Finn, a spirited golden retriever who received cancer treatment at the Flint Animal Cancer Center.
Finn’s owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared how the technicians’ dedication made a difficult time more bearable. “The techs would send pictures and stories of Finn trying to eat the pill pocket while spitting out her medication. Those little moments brought joy during a stressful period,” they said.
Throughout her treatments—including surgery for a mast cell tumor and 17 days of radiation for an acanthomatous ameloblastoma—Finn greeted the technicians with enthusiasm, showing the deep bond she shared with her care team. Even during aggressive chemotherapy for a later soft tissue sarcoma, Finn remained calm and confident in the hands of the staff. When she passed peacefully, surrounded by family and hospital staff, her owner reflected, “It was a testament to the loving bond between doctors, technicians, and their patients.”
Supporting Those Who Care for Animals
Finn’s Friends Fund provides emergency veterinary support for CSU veterinary technicians’ own pets, ensuring they never have to choose between financial strain and lifesaving care. Maria Gore, director of operations and program services for the Argus wellness and support center, explained, “Supporting techs means recognizing their essential role and helping them care for the animals in their own lives.”
The fund has already made a meaningful impact. Days before Christmas, a CSU technician faced a serious emergency when their dog suffered a spinal injury shortly after cancer treatment for another pet. Overwhelmed and financially stretched, euthanasia seemed like the only option. Thanks to Finn’s Friends Fund, the dog received surgery, returned home safely, and the technician’s family could continue their daily routines.
To support CSU veterinary technicians and honor Finn’s legacy, donations can be made online by selecting “Finn’s Friends” under Additional Designations.
Read more here: https://cvmbs.source.colostate.edu/helping-veterinary-medicines-unsung-heroes-finns-friends-fund-supports-csu-technicians/
