Disabled worker who can’t afford surgery on beloved staff member who helped him fight depression seeks desperate help to save his ‘best friend’
- Disabled worker Thomas Svechheimers is raising money for his dog’s recovery
- His puppy, Ghost, was diagnosed with a disc disorder on Tuesday
- IDD means gelatinous discs that separate and disintegrate the ghost’s bones
- GoFundMe reached halfway earlier this week so Ghost could get a scan
A part-time disabled worker has started a fundraiser for a dog that “saved his life” during a period of intense depression.
According to Thomas Svechheimers, his beloved British staff member Ghost began limping in his left leg and front leg at his home on the NSW South Coast on Boxing Day.
Svechheimers wrote under GoFundMe:
He was eventually able to get Ghost to a veterinarian, and two veterinarians diagnosed him with a disc disorder.

Thomas Svechheimers is raising money to save the life of his beloved puppy, Ghost, who was diagnosed with a disc defect (Svechheimers and Ghost pictured).

Svechheimers, a part-time disabled worker, said the surgery to save Ghost would cost more than $20,000 (pictured Svechheimers and Ghost six years ago)
IDD is known to cause neck, back and leg pain in dogs.
According to Svechheimers, Ghost’s only cure is a $17,000 surgery and $7,000 worth of scans. He lives in Wollongong and has to travel about 100km for ghost treatment.
In a desperate effort to save his buddy, Mr. Svechheimers has already put his ute on sale for less than the asking price.
But for Svechheimers, the price to pay for his friend’s recovery is small.
“Six years ago I traveled from Wollongong to Canberra to pick up my best mates,” he said.
On the way home, he vomited on my hands.I immediately fell in love with him.

Ghost (above) came into the life of Svechheimers six years ago when he was struggling with his mental health.
As the years went by, his cheerful and friendly personality won the hearts and smiles of many. He is known for his big happy smile.
Svechheimers added that Ghost helped him through the most difficult times of his life.
“I have struggled with mental health for years. Ghost was a part of my life and he helped me through some very dark times.
“Without him and the support of Lifeline and friends, I wouldn’t be here today.
“So he holds a very special place in my heart and I owe him my life.”
A GoFundMe for Ghost’s surgery reached a halfway point earlier this week, so Mr Svechheimers was able to bring Ghost to Sydney for a pre-surgery scan on Friday.

Svechheimers said he has already put his ute on the market for less than the asking price in hopes of raising enough money to save Ghost (pictured Svechheimers and Ghost).
“We arrived as early as possible at 5 p.m. and turned ourselves in to the SASH emergency department,” he said.
“After checking in and waiting an hour, the veterinary nurse took Ghost in to check his vitals and he was all stable.
“It was reassuring to hear that his vitals were stable. Ghost had already been evaluated by two separate veterinarians with similar medical opinions, so we hope Ghost can rest comfortably at home.” I decided to go home.”
Ghost was booked to see a specialist in Sydney on January 3rd.
Click here to donate to the GoFundMe for Ghost’s recovery.
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