Blood donor dogs honoured by South Korean varsity

Donor dogs and their owners pose for a photo during the "Thank you, donor heroes!" event at Konkuk Universty in Seoul on Wednesday. - Photo: Yonhap

SEOUL: About 30 dogs registered for regular blood donations and their owners attended a commemorative event Wednesday (May 13) at Konkuk University.

Three donor dogs received special recognition at the event. Bokhui, a former rescue dog, received the Life Sharing Award after donating blood 12 times since 2022.

Dogs that received special honors pose with their owners during the “Thank You, Donor Heroes!” event at Konkuk University on May 13. (From left) are Bokhui, recipient of the Life Sharing Award; Sundol, recipient of the Life Guardian Award; and Tree, recipient of the honorary retirement award. - Photo: Yonhap

Sundol, an emergency donor dog, received the Life Guardian Award, while Tree was honored with a retirement award for regularly donating blood from the center’s pilot phase until retirement.

Wednesday's event was organised by the KU I’m Dognor Blood Donation Centre at Konkuk University Veterinary Hospital, Asia’s first pet blood donation centre, which opened in 2022.

Donor dogs and their owners pose for a photo during the “Thank you, donor heroes!” event at Konkuk University in Seoul on Wednesday. - Photo: Yonhap

According to the centre, 555 donor dogs have donated a combined 238,140 milliliters of blood, enough to help treat about 2,300 small dogs.

“Thanks to these donor dogs, we have been able to save many lives,” said Han Hyun-jung, head of the centre. “We will continue working to promote animal medical welfare and respect for life.” - The Korea Herald