By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Sometimes, from grief comes an act of kindness and good will. This is the case with the Brooke Davis Angel Fund, named in memory of Dr. Brooke Davis, a well-loved local veterinarian who tragically lost her life in an auto accident in 2021. Following this, close friends and family members decided to carry on her legacy of caring for sick and injured animals, many of which she took into her home as pets.
“I miss Brooke terribly,” said Tabatha Strauder, who founded the Brooke Davis Angel Fund. “She was my best friend for 24 years.”
Davis was serving as president of the Jacksonville Veterinary Medical Society and practicing at San Jose Beauclerc Animal Hospital at the time of her death. She had been instrumental in setting up an Angel Fund, which accepts donations to help people who can’t afford to pay for their pets’ care, at her veterinary hospital.
Strauder said that on the day of Davis’ passing, they had to rehome all of her pets, which included 14 dogs, nine cats, two horses and five tortoises. San Jose Beauclerc Animal Hospital made a posting on Facebook to accept donations for the care of her animals. Many clients, shocked and saddened by the death of their favorite veterinarian, stepped up.
“The community of Jacksonville was amazing and generous,” Strauder said. “Many of her animals required the care of specialists.”
Donations continued and Strauder, with the blessing of Davis’ mother, formed the Brooke Davis Angel Fund as a non-profit organization in 2023. Now, the mission of the organization has expanded to include not just the care of Davis’ animals, but others as well.
“Our mission is ‘Helping Hands for Paws in Need,’” Strauder said.
Animal hospitals in the four-county area can refer cases to the Brooke Davis Angel Fund, as well as individuals, who may submit an application online. Some of the criteria to receive funding includes that the money cannot be used for routine spaying or neutering, nor can it be used for emergency care.
“Our board makes the decision on funding,” Strauder said. “If they meet the criteria and we can afford it, we help.”
One animal they were able to help is a dog named Gino, whose owner needed help with diagnostic tests for leukemia. Thankfully, Gino ended up testing negative for leukemia, and he is doing well today.
This month, the Brooke Davis Angel Fund is hosting one of their semi-annual fundraising events: Bingo Night, to be held on Sunday, July 21 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at 2892 Loretto Road (Mandarin Garden Club). There will be prizes and a 50/50 split the pot. Also they are raffling off pet paintings by two local artists. Snacks and soda are available for purchase.
On Nov. 18, another fundraiser will be held at Wicked Barley from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Visit https://brookedavisangelfund.org/ for more information or to make a donation online.
Photo courtesy Tabatha Strauder
Dr. Brooke Davis with her dog, Kodie.
