For the past five years, Air Force veteran James Bowers has looked to his service dog, Kate, for comfort, care and guidance.
Now Bowers is hoping to pay his loyal companion back when she needs it the most.
Kate was seriously injured on Tuesday in an accident in a Buc-ee’s parking lot in Texas City, Texas, northwest of Galveston. One of the dog’s legs was severely broken, and the Bowers’ family is asking the public for help to pay mounting veterinarian bills to treat Kate’s injury.
Like many accidents, the incident happened quickly. Kate was walking with Bowers’ wife, Nancy, back to their car when a truck appeared, sped up and got close to Nancy and Kate.
“All of a sudden, it was there, and I turned and that truck was right there. I really thought I was going to get hit. That’s how close it was,” Nancy Bowers told KHOU.com. “I jumped back as fast as I could, and I tried to pull Kate back with her leash. I just couldn’t get out of the way quick enough.”
Nancy said the truck ran over Kate’s paw, causing an ugly, painful injury.
“Her leg was severed from the bone and was broken completely in half,” James Bowers said.
The driver stopped and got out of the truck to attend to the injured dog, but Nancy, frantic to get Kate to an emergency vet, forgot to exchange insurance information with the driver.
Hospital Care Bills Adding Up
Since Kate’s injury is extensive and complex, the Bowers are struggling to pay for the rising vet bill.
“The vet bills are like, tomorrow we’ll have to pay $3,200, and the day before that it was $1,500, and the day before that was $2,000,” James Bowers said.
Veterinarians are hoping to save Kate’s leg, but the cost of doing it has exceeded $10,000. Nancy said that while the bill is overwhelming, the family is committed to doing whatever is necessary to care for Kate.
“We’ll find a way to make Kate whole again. She’s part of our family,” Nancy said.
To help pay for Kate’s medical costs, the family has set up a GoFundMe campaign. As of Friday afternoon, the fund had generated $11,864, more than halfway to the Bowers’ $18,000 goal.
James Bowers said Kate is always by his side, which meant a lot in recent years as the Air Force veteran battled cancer.
“As she was realizing that I was sick, then she realized that I was her human, so she’s taking care of me,” Bowers said.
On their GoFundMe page, daughter Jennifer Bowers said the pair are best buddies.
“As a disabled veteran in remission from cancer, my dad relies on Kate every day for support, safety, and independence,” she wrote. “She helps him manage his health, stay grounded, and move through daily life with confidence. Losing her ability to work, even temporarily, has a huge impact on his quality of life.”
Working with local police, the Bowers hope to identify and contact the driver to file an insurance claim. It could ease their financial burden.
“The vet bill is overwhelming, and without this surgery, Kate won’t be able to return to her important work as my dad’s service dog,” Jennifer Bowers said.
On Thursday, Nancy Bowers posted a brief update on the GoFundMe page, writing that Kate was checked into Med Vet Houston Bay Area.
“Today they will remove bandages and assess for joint alignment, infection and tissue degradation. If all looks ok, they will bandage, and we will bring her home and return her Monday or Tuesday for surgery,” Nancy Bowers wrote. “Best case scenario, her leg will be saved, and she will develop some arthritis. Possibly facing amputation, which we are praying is not the case.”
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