NYC Veterinarian Moonlights As Pop Singer To Help Fund Cancer Treatment For Animals

by Susan Richard

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Hearing that a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer can be devastating, and the same is true for our four-legged family members. For many pets, such a diagnosis can be a death sentence, as treatment is simply too great an expense for their owner to bear. Here in New York, one veterinarian is combining his passion for animals – and music -- to help.

Learn more about cancer in animals and what the Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation is doing to help in this edition of All For Animals with 1010 WINS' Susan Richard:

Dr. Joshua Louis Lachowicz is a veterinary oncologist at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners, an emergency and specialty animal hospital with locations in 14 states across the country, including three in New York City -- in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.

In 2011, Dr. Lachowicz co-founded the Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation (JLACF), an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with two primary goals. "Our first mission, Dr. Lachowicz told 1010 WINS, "is to raise awareness about the advances that have been made in veterinary oncology, and our second mission, which is really our most important goal, is to raise money for the treatment of cancer in animals when their owners are unable to afford the cost of therapy."

Dr. Lachowicz is also known as Joshua Louis, a singer-songwriter who uses his passion for music, to support JLACF. "Everything that happens as a veterinary oncologist, that inspires me to write music. The music is recorded, what's recorded can be purchased, and what's purchased goes to the foundation so that people can afford the cost of cancer therapy. It's my way of giving back to those who give to me," says Lachowicz. The songs are available on iTunes. Get the link at http://joshualouis.org/music.html.

JLACF also raises money through nationwide fundraisers and local events, including a 5K walk/run coming up on Sunday, May 18, 2014, in Liberty State Park. Runners are asked to register by Wednesday, May 7 at http://joshualouis.org/2014-5k.html. If you can't run, you can also make a donation at www.joshualouis.org. Pet owners seeking financial assistance for cancer treatment will find more information and an application on the site.

All for Animals is a production of New Day Media and is placed on CBSNewYork.com as a courtesy. Please direct any questions to newdaymedia@email.com.