Pet Owner Buys $6 Million Superbowl Spot to Thank Veterinarian For Saving Dog's Life

Jan 31, 2020 by apost team

In addition to thrilling football action, the Super Bowl is known for its often over the top ads. Whether you’re interested in that new comic book movie coming out later this summer or the latest Pepsi product, you can be sure to see an ad during the Super Bowl that will pique your interest.

A pet owner from Wisconsin wanted to use the Super Bowl to bring attention to animal welfare concerns, telling the world the story of his beloved dog and the doctors who saved him.

Last July, David MacNeil, founder of the car equipment company WeatherTech, was shocked to see Scout, his playful 7-year-old golden retriever, collapse in his kitchen according to NBC. Rushing Scout to his local vet’s office, David and his family were heartbroken to learn that Scout had a tumor on his heart. Scout’s doctor gave him one month to live and advised the family to put down their much-loved pet. As Scout looked up at David with adoration in his eyes and a wagging tail, David knew that he could not give up on his four-legged friend.

apost.com

David put Scout into his car and drove him to the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Doctors at the hospital immediately admitted Scout and performed an emergency procedure that drained much of the fluid from the sweet dog’s chest. Moving forward, doctors advised David that their prescribed treatment of radiation and chemotherapy only had a 1 percent chance of success. David wouldn’t have it any other way and chose to give his best friend every chance at getting well. Miraculously, after 2 months of treatment, Scout is now almost completely cancer free as the tumor has shrunk 90 percent.

To show his appreciation for the vets who saved Scout’s life, David bought a 30 second Super Bowl commercial for $6 million. The ad tells the world of the amazing work being done at the School of Veterinary Medicine through Scout's story. In a statement seen on the school's website, David said that he wanted to have as big a platform as possible to tell his dog’s story. At the end of the commercial, viewers are encouraged to donate money to the school. It is pointed out that work being done at the institution also helps treat cancer in humans.

In a separate statement, Mark Markel, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, said that he and his colleagues are thrilled that David chose to share Scout’s story with the world. Dean Markel added that he is pleased that Super Bowl audiences will learn how veterinary medicine has helped treat diseases in humans.

What do you think of the ad? Are you looking forward to the Super Bowl?