Mighty Hearts Project helps pet parents access life-saving mitral valve repair surgery under bypass for dogs diagnosed with mitral valve disease when they’ve been told there are no options left.
Your dog was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Disease. We can help.
If you’ve been told there’s nothing that can be done — you’re not alone. Many vets in the U.S. don’t offer solutions for mitral valve disease, leaving families heartbroken and out of hope. But there is a proven surgical option. And we’re here to help you understand it.
Start Your Journey with Canine Mitral Valve Disease
What was once considered only a palliative prognosis, surgical intervention to repair the mitral valve and heart chords is now possible. We want to share this information with pet owners, vets, and researchers globally in an effort to advance the care and demand for this lifesaving option. This website provides extensive knowledge and resources about leading surgery clinics, the application process, travel guidance and more.
Our Mission
Hope
We give hope to owners of dogs suffering with Mitral Valve Disease. From the inception of diagnosis, throughout their decision-making process on type of care and all the way through surgery if they should choose to take that path.
Support
We provide the most up-to-date information and resources, so our members seeking support can make well informed decisions. We support emerging research on mitral valve disease and repair, sharing the best possible proven options for dog owners.
Education
We educate owners about viable vetted options for advanced treatment of canine mitral valve disease. This includes creating awareness to veterinary professionals about pioneer surgeon Dr. Masami Uechi’s mitral valve repair technique at the Jasmine clinic.
Advocacy
We advocate for dogs with mitral valve disease alongside veterinary cardiologist who support mitral valve repair. We attend veterinary lectures and workshops to spread awareness about MVR surgery to industry professionals.
Events & Webinars
Interview with Dr. Judy Morgan
Dr. Masami Uechi Interview 1
Dr Masami Uechi Interview 2
Dr. Sayaka Takeuchi Interview
Jasmine MVR Surgery Webinar
Importance of Pet Health Insurance
Dr. Saki Kadotani: Bringing Open Heart Mitral Valve Repair to the Midwest
Interview with Dr Emily Chapel founder of Pure Animal Cardiology
MVD COMMUNITY
Connect with other members, experts, and the Mighty Hearts team. Get your questions answered, share your stories, and get support.
Join webinars and live events hosted by pet care professionals and the Mighty Hearts team. Dive deep into important MVD topics that matter most.
Get exclusive perks like giveaways and other benefits reserved for our members to help navigate MVD.
MVR Success Stories
Not only did Emma pass her prognosis - she is thriving
“It’s crazy to think that we flew our chihuahua to the UK for open heart surgery, but we’re so glad we did it. The surgery is a gift of time..."
Words cannot explain how grateful I am - Thank You!
"We are almost a year out from his MVR surgery... he is acting like he is a puppy - getting zoomies, eating treats and playing with his sister Mila everyday."
I am so thankful I found the Mighty Hearts Project website
“They were barely able to detect a trace of regurgitation on the echo and all his numbers were perfect. I could not be happier. I am so thankful I found the Mighty Hearts Project website and was able to save my baby.”
Dumpling has recovered well from his surgery at Jasmine
“It is with gratitude and love that I can say Dumpling has recovered well from his surgery at Jasmine and is flourishing. His 12th birthday was spent on the beach in March.”
He has so much energy now, my little boy is back!
“Jager is now 8 weeks post-operative MVR surgery, and he is doing absolutely amazing. He has no coughing spells, resting respiratory rate is continuously in the low 20’s and he has so much energy now, my little boy is back!”
She is happy, frisky and like her old self again
“She is happy, frisky and like her old self again. We are extremely fortunate to have stumbled across the Mighty Hearts Project organization, to have consulted with Dr Kramer and are now able to share our journey!!!”
He has a new lease on life
“It is truly amazing and a blessing to see the differences with Simba after surgery. He has a new lease on life. He is full of personality which I never knew he had!!”
The amount of information and help has been invaluable
“Stella is no longer coughing, off her medications and she’s happy and energetic. I’m very grateful that her cardiologist told me about the surgery and that I found the Mighty Hearts group. The amount of information and help has been invaluable.”
Yuzu is still doing amazing
“It is now almost 7 months post-op as I write this, and Yuzu is still doing amazing! Yuzu celebrated her 9th birthday this January 17th!”
Our future is looking brighter than ever
“Since Charlie’s surgery he’s been on the road to recovery and our future is looking brighter than ever!”
Her heart has returned to a normal size
“Chloe is doing amazing. She went from a Grade 5 heart murmur to no detectable heart murmur. Her Regurgitation went from Severe to Very mild and her heart has returned to a normal size.”
Bella is now doing wonderful and plays nonstop like a puppy
“Bella is now doing wonderful and plays nonstop like a puppy. This experience was life changing and has given me lots of new perspectives on life.”
I count each day as a bonus day with him
“He is his friendly happy robust self now and I count each day as a bonus day with him.”
We feel extremely lucky to have her well past her initial prognosis
“In the end, we feel extremely lucky to have her well past her initial prognosis. She’s happy, healthy, and very lucky.”
He has a new life, and is acting like a puppy again
“Since having surgery at RVC Herbert is like a different dog. He has a new life, and is acting like a puppy again. It’s so nice to see him run and play.”
Her heart has returned to normal size
“She is 13 and 4 months old now and looks and acts 10 years younger than that. She is off all meds, her post op echo looks great, her kidney values are great, and her heart has returned to normal size.”
We couldn’t be happier with the outcome
“Spatas surgery went without complications and he recovered very smoothly.”
I could not have wished for a better outcome
“All chambers of his heart are now normal in size; he has barely detectable regurgitation and doesn’t need any medications. I could not have wished for a better outcome.”
Meet The Team
Nate Estes
Michelle Lawson-Fairfield
I will always be eternally grateful to MHP & Jasmine
“I & Oliver thank you Mighty Hearts & so many of your wonderfully kind & generous members who answered all of my questions and concerns.”