Bob Woodhouse has always loved animals.

A visit to his aquarium store in Kalispell proves that when three friendly dogs eagerly inspect new customers coming through the door.

But he never saw himself as a hero to animals.

The disabled veteran who came into The Aquarium Shop several years ago might see things differently.

“He came in for antibiotics,” Woodhouse said. “The dog had a roaring toothache. I told him he needed to go to the vet, but he had no money.”

He called a 24-hour veterinary service for the man and said he’d pay for the pet’s procedure.

The dog’s suffering was eased and the impoverished veteran was able to keep his dog, but afterwards he wondered if there was a broader way to help other with emergency pet care.

He called another local good Samaritan for animals, Darcy Albert, and the two began discussing ways to help suffering animals.

Thus began the Emergency Vet Assistance Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization to help low-income people keep pets happy and healthy.

“Real broke people with a suffering pet were having a real hard time,” Woodhouse said. “Some vet offices charge you $45 just to walk in the door for a check-up.”

With the assistance fund, he and Albert — who runs KittyMOM’s Rescue Organization — have taken donations to save animals from all over the valley.

“Our resources are limited,” Albert said. “But any animal that is suffering will get help if we have anything to say about it.”

Woodhouse said the criteria to get help isn’t set in stone, but he knows it when he sees it, and honest need is a big part of that.

“It’s kind of like the spay-and-neuter program,” he said. “People with lots of money go use that and it cuts the vets out of the deal. It isn’t fair for the doctors.”

The two believe that elderly or disabled people on a fixed income shouldn’t have to go without animal companionship, and they’re well aware that a lack of money can lead an animal’s suffering and pain. The assistance fund is for needy pet owners with an animal in distress.

“We do not want to see animals suffering because of lack of money,” Albert said. “We want to alleviate suffering. It’s just not fair to cats and dogs to have to suffer.”

All donations to the Emergency Vet Assistance Fund are tax-deductible and go directly to pay veterinary costs for suffering animals.

The fund has raised more than $500 since its inception, and people can donate in person to jars around town (including The Aquarium Shop, Murdoch’s and other stores) or on The Aquarium Shop’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheAquariumShop/ under the donate button) to a secure Paypal account.

People wanting more information can call Albert at 752-4460.

As for Woodhouse, he still doesn’t see himself as a hero. Rather, he is just a regular guy who wants to help dogs and cats in the Flathead Valley.

“I’ve had a few people come in that were just flat broke,” he said. “There hasn’t been that many, but I want to help the ones that need it.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.