When their one-year-old F4 Valais Blacknose sheep, Gary, suddenly became ill last November, Mike and Annie Whitehead of Fairview Farms in Venetia, PA, knew something wasn’t right. What started as a quiet, off morning for Gary soon turned into a serious health concern that called for quick action, expert care and the steady companionship of his best buddy, Roy.
"Gary woke up and instead of greeting me at the door of his stall, he stayed lying in the corner and wasn't very interested in eating,” Annie Whitehead recalls. “I knew immediately something was off."
After monitoring Gary throughout the day and consulting with their local veterinarian, it became clear he was suffering from urinary calculi — solid particles, often referred to as stones, that form in the urinary system and can cause severe pain and blockages. Left untreated, the condition can be fatal.
Gary’s local veterinarian, Kelly Balzer, DVM ’12, owner of Little Creek Farm Veterinary Services, confirmed the worst-case scenario — Gary's bladder was on the verge of rupturing, and he was likely hours from dying. She immediately referred them to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center.
Despite the freezing rain and the late hour, Mike Whitehead loaded Gary and his companion Roy into the trailer and made the three-hour drive to Columbus. "We were told by Dr. Balzer that Ohio State was the best — and one of the only places in the country — that could give him any chance to live,” said the Whiteheads.
They weren’t sure Gary would survive the transport, but when they arrived at 10:30 pm, Andrew Vaughn, DVM ’24, a resident in the Farm Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, and other members of his team were ready.
The care and expertise of the farm animal and surgery team stood out to the Whiteheads, who noted that Vaughn was very straightforward with them about the reality of Gary's condition.
Annie Whitehead and Roy.
"Dr. Vaughn knew immediately what he was looking at and was very honest about Gary's chances of survival based on previous cases he had seen. He was also incredibly kind and gentle with how he spoke to us," Annie Whitehead noted.
That night, his bladder was drained with a percutaneous urinary catheter to relieve the pressure and stabilize him. The following day, Gary underwent a tube cystostomy, a surgical procedure to remove urinary calculi from the bladder and place a more secure urinary catheter to bypass the blockage and allow urine to drain safely.
“Roy stayed very close to Gary the entire day, offering him comfort and support," Annie Whitehead shared. She added that Roy's presence provided Gary with a sense of security and companionship during a very stressful time.
Vaughn kept the Whiteheads updated daily, offering honest assessments and compassionate communication. “Dr. Vaughn’s kindness and thorough explanations meant so much to us,” the Whiteheads recall.
“Gary beat the odds thanks to the exceptional care he received at Ohio State,” they added. “Knowing that he was in the hands of veterinarians and staff who were so deeply invested in his health meant the world to us.”
The Whiteheads later returned to Ohio State for the birth of Kyle, Gary's lamb.
Hazel, another one of the Whitehead's sheep, gave birth to a healthy lamb at the Veterinary Medical Center following Gary's initial visit.
“The Whiteheads’ story is a powerful example of the growing shift in how farm animals are perceived as beloved companions rather than just livestock,” said Vaughn. “Many still don’t view animals like sheep the same way they do cats or dogs, but the Whiteheads prove that deep, meaningful bonds can form with farm animals too. They dedicate countless hours and significant resources to ensure Gary and Roy get the chance to simply enjoy life in their pasture.”
The Whiteheads with their newborn lamb at the Veterinary Medical Center.
