CLEARWATER, FL – Greek-American Stella Pavlides organized a GoFundMe campaign in 2019 to save Joey, a dog she adopted in 2018, that needs heart surgery. The fundraiser continues to this day and is on behalf of 2 Dogs On A Mission Inc., a 501c(3) charity Pavlides started to help cover the cost of Joey’s heart surgery and to help educate the public about compassionate care and treatment of all animals. Donations are 100% tax deductible.

According to the GoFundMe page, “Joey was rescued in May of 2018, from a local ‘animal control’ where he was taken. A rescue group picked him up and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to adopt him. When he first came to me, he was coughing up ‘green phlegm’ and he was very lethargic, plus he had no appetite whatsoever.”

Pavlides continued, “I took him to my vet and he prescribed medication and after a short time Joey was doing much better and his appetite was back full force. My vet did inform me that Joey was a senior. He also told me that Joey had a heart murmur and that is when I decided to take him to the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville for a full check up. 

“They did an echocardiogram and discovered that he had a heart murmur and it was at 5/6.  They immediately prescribed ‘Pimobendan’ a drug that helps regulate his heart and to slow down heart failure. They told me that my Joey could go into heart failure and gave me a list of things I should look out for,” Pavlides noted.

She said, “They also told me that they were bringing in heart surgeons from Tokyo, Japan in the future to operate on dogs that also had heart problems and heart issues just like Joey. They said that Joey would be a good candidate if I wanted to add his name to their list, and I did! To date Joey is doing well, but he does go up to UF every 6 months for echocardiograms and a full physical.”

Pavlides pointed out that “the cost of the surgery would be between $40,000-45,000” and “since I do not have the financing for this surgery, I started a 501c(3) charity to help cover the cost of Joey’s surgery.” 

The charity is www.2DogsonaMission.org.

“My hope is to raise the money for Joey’s surgery and if there is any money left over, Joey and I will ‘pay it forward,’” Pavlides said, adding “please continue to follow Joey and me, and I know he will come out of this victoriously. All of Joey’s medical information will be available as I receive it and upon your request.”

More information is available online: https://gf.me/u/yytyy5.

Pavlides was also noted for her efforts by Greek-American Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in a letter earlier this year. The text of the letter, dated June 4, 2020, follows: 

Dear Stella, 

Today marks the fifth anniversary since I co-founded the Congressional Caucus for the Humane Bond. Given your advocacy for not only children, but also our furry, four legged friends, I wanted to reach out and commend you for your work as the Founder & President of 2 Dogs on a Mission, Inc. 501(c)(3) and the American Vitiligo Research Foundation Inc. (AVRF) 501(c)(3). 

You were the first to educate me on vitiligo, an incurable auto-immune disorder which causes the skin to lose pigmentation. You have been a tireless advocate who has dedicated your life to finding a cure for vitiligo and ending the emotional pain it causes. Since you founded the AVRF in 1995, the organization has provided public awareness through dedicated work, education, counseling, and lobbying at both the state and federal levels. I was honored to present you with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition honoring your outstanding and relentless efforts on behalf of children with vitiligo. Additionally, in 2019, I was honored to commend you and the AVRF in the Extension of Remarks section of the official Congressional Record. Furthermore, I applaud you and the AVRF for encouraging higher ethical standards in research, and therefore, supporting finding a potential cure through alternatives to animal testing. 

In 2018, your deep love for animals inspired you to found 2 Dogs on a Mission to help dogs with heart conditions and various other medical ailments. This new charity partners with the community to educate the public about compassionate care and treatment of all animals. Raising funds to help with spay and neuter programs and advocating for more effective animal welfare legislation is something that you have excelled at! Your goal to help all dogs and cats, regardless of age and health issues, to have a second chance is remarkable. 

I wish you continued success and best wishes on your admirable mission to make a difference worldwide for people and animals alike. 

Sincerely yours, 

Gus M. Bilirakis 

Member of Congress