She has records on more than 500 donors, mostly hounds because of their training, disposition and weight. Schneider then sells red blood cells and plasma through 52 distribution centers in 18 states and the District. To qualify as a donor, a dog must be one to seven years old, weigh at least 50 pounds and be in good health. The difficulty is not simply in finding volunteers but in finding donors that qualify. We need to screen individuals just the way you and I are screened, and not every individual comes out with a completely clean slate.
Donors undergo a full physical before each donation.
Schneider listens to the dog's heart and lungs and checks its abdomen for lumps or soft spots. Every dog is tested for such diseases as heartworm and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Schneider types its blood. Schneider said giving blood does not hurt the dogs, as many owners initially fear. The dogs feel the same temporary stinging sensation that people feel when they give blood, Schneider said. Each dog is taken into the kennel's medical room, where Schneider has set up her table and a pillow.