Finding Support: Groups and Resources for Affected Families

You’re Not Alone

When Cooper died, I felt completely isolated. How could I explain to anyone what had happened? How could they possibly understand the guilt, the grief, the anger at a system that had failed us? If you haven’t read our story of losing Cooper, that context may help you understand why this community exists.

Then I found other families who’d been through the same thing. People who understood without needing explanations. People who could say “I know” and actually mean it.

Finding that community didn’t take away the pain, but it made it bearable. This guide is my attempt to help you find that same support.

Facebook Groups

Social media isn’t always great, but for niche communities dealing with specific issues, Facebook groups can be lifesaving. These are the groups our community members have found most helpful.

MDR1-Specific Groups

MDR1 Drug Sensitivity in Dogs - Support & Education

• Over 8,000 members as of early 2025
• Mix of grieving families, dog owners seeking prevention info, and veterinary professionals
• Active moderation keeps discussions helpful and respectful
• Good place to ask questions about specific medications

Collie Health Foundation MDR1 Awareness

• Affiliated with the Collie Health Foundation
• More research-focused, shares updates on MDR1 studies
• Good resource for scientific information in accessible language

Breed-Specific Groups with Active MDR1 Discussion

Rough Collie Lovers of America

• Large, active group with strong MDR1 awareness
• Many experienced owners who can answer questions
• Good for finding Collie-savvy vets in your area

Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics

• Aussie-focused but very knowledgeable about MDR1
• Regular posts about drug reactions and prevention
• Breeders share testing protocols

Sheltie Nation

• Active community with many members who’ve dealt with MDR1
• Supportive environment for sharing stories

Old English Sheepdog Community

• Smaller but very supportive
• Strong emphasis on health testing including MDR1

How to Find These Groups

1. Search the group name on Facebook
2. Most require you to answer a few questions to join (to filter out spam)
3. Read the group rules before posting
4. Start by introducing yourself and your situation

National Organizations

These organizations provide research funding, education, and resources related to canine drug sensitivity.

Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab

The leading research institution for MDR1 in dogs. They offer:

• The gold standard MDR1 genetic test
• Educational resources for dog owners and vets
• Updated information on affected medications
• Research publications for those who want to go deeper

Website: vcpl.vetmed.wsu.edu

Collie Health Foundation

A nonprofit dedicated to improving the health of Collies through research and education. They:

• Fund MDR1 and other health research
• Provide educational materials for owners and breeders
• Maintain a database of health testing results
• Advocate for health testing in breeding programs

Website: colliehealth.org

Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute (ASHGI)

Similar mission for Aussies:

• Extensive MDR1 educational materials
• Breeder resources and guidelines
• Health research funding
• Excellent FAQ section for new owners

Website: ashgi.org

American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation

While not MDR1-specific, they:

• Fund genetic health research across breeds
• Provide educational resources
• Maintain database of genetic tests
• Support development of new screening tools

Website: akcchf.org

Grief Support Resources

Losing a pet is real grief. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. These resources specifically address pet loss.

Pet Loss Support Hotlines

ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline: 877-474-3310

• Free, confidential support
• Staffed by trained grief counselors
• Available during business hours ET

Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline: 607-218-7457

• Run by veterinary students trained in grief support
• Available Tuesday through Thursday evenings

UC Davis Pet Loss Support Hotline: 800-565-1526

• Student-staffed with professional supervision
• Available Monday through Friday

Online Support

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement - aplb.org

• Online chat support
• Resource library
• Tribute pages for lost pets

Rainbow Bridge Grief Support - Multiple Facebook groups

• Communities specifically for pet loss grief
• Safe spaces to share memories and process loss

When to Seek Professional Help

Grief is normal. But if you’re experiencing:

• Inability to function weeks after the loss
• Severe depression or anxiety
• Thoughts of self-harm
• Difficulty with daily activities

Please reach out to a mental health professional. Many therapists now specialize in pet loss grief. It’s not silly. It’s not an overreaction. Your grief is valid and deserving of support.

Veterinary Resources

Finding an MDR1-Aware Vet

Ask these questions when looking for a new vet:

• “Are you familiar with MDR1 drug sensitivity?”
• “Do you routinely ask about MDR1 status before prescribing to herding breeds?”
• “What’s your protocol for avoiding problem medications?”

Good signs:

• They’ve heard of it and take it seriously
• They ask YOU about MDR1 status
• They have processes in place for flagging at-risk patients

Red flags:

• “That’s not really a concern”
• “I’ve never heard of that”
• Dismissive attitude toward your questions

Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions

If your dog has a drug reaction, report it:

FDA Adverse Drug Event Reporting:

• Online form at fda.gov/animal-veterinary
• Helps track medication problems
• Data used to improve drug labeling

Your dog’s reaction report could help prevent future deaths.

Educational Resources

For Dog Owners

“The MDR1 Gene: What Every Dog Owner Should Know”

• Free downloadable guide from WSU
• Plain-language explanation of the science
• List of affected medications

The Herding Gene - theherdingene.com

• Comprehensive genetics education for herding breed owners
• Research-based information written accessibly
• Detailed MDR1 guide with breeding and testing information

For Veterinary Professionals

Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook

• Standard reference includes MDR1 information
• Most comprehensive medication resource

WSU Professional Resources

• Training materials for vet clinics
• Posters for exam rooms
• Client handouts

Local Support

Finding Local Help

Your local community might have:

• Breed-specific clubs with knowledgeable members
• Rescue organizations familiar with health issues
• Veterinary teaching hospitals with genetics expertise

To find local resources:

• Search “[your breed] club [your city/state]”
• Ask in Facebook groups for local recommendations
• Contact your state veterinary medical association

Starting a Support Group

If there’s no local support for MDR1-affected families in your area, consider starting one. It doesn’t have to be formal:

• A monthly meetup at a dog park
• An online group for your region
• A relationship with a local vet clinic for referrals

We’re happy to help you get started. Contact us if you’re interested.

Our Community Resources

What We Offer

• Personal stories from families who’ve been through this
• Vet visit checklist you can print and bring to appointments
• Information about what vets might not know
• A listening ear when you need to talk

How to Connect With Us

Email: diane@collie-drug-reactions.net

We read every message. We can’t always respond immediately (this is a volunteer effort), but we do respond. And sometimes just knowing someone is listening is enough.

The Support That Saved Me

When Cooper died, I didn’t think I could run a rescue anymore. How could I place dogs in homes when I’d just gotten one killed? How could I trust myself?

The families I connected with online - people who’d been where I was, who’d felt the same guilt and grief - they’re the reason I kept going. They reminded me that knowledge is how we honor our losses. That sharing our stories saves other dogs.

You will find your people. You will find the support you need. And someday, you might be the one offering support to someone new to this terrible club none of us asked to join.

We’re here. You’re not alone. And together, we’re making sure fewer families have to go through what we went through.

Know of a resource we should add to this guide? Let us know. The more comprehensive we can make this, the more families we can help.