About - Mighty Hearts Project
Mighty Hearts Project is a voluntary 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works closely with families dealing with Canine Mitral Valve Disease, also known as Canine (MMVD). Our nonprofit seeks to advocate and assist families who wish to seek mitral valve repair surgery. We aid our families with the information we have gathered over the years with regards to logistics and educational information about this surgical procedure.
Our team has personally experienced saving our own companion animals lives with this life-saving mitral valve repair procedure. We collectively came together to create a platform of Hope, Support, Education, and Advocacy, to better aid our families with their journey’s and with that, Mighty Hearts Project was established in 2017.
Nate Estes - President and founder of Mighty Hearts Project
Nate Estes works closely with his board of diretors to advance the impact of the organizations reach in helping families dealing with mitral valve disease and repair. Nate designed and maintains the website in all areas of social media as a resource to guide families through this disease.
Nate closely works with Isa Randle who assists with moderating the Mighty Hearts Project Facebook MVD Community Group. Nate often attends holistic pet health conferences and veterinary medicine conferences to provide our members with the very best knowledge and avenues in holistic and nutritional care while managing this disease. Nate’s precious daughter, Zoey Marie Estes, endured two mitral valve repair surgeries. At the tender age of five years old, Zoey’s journey began in 2016, where her heart was successfully repaired.
Sadly in 2019 Zoey’s disease was very progressive since she developed the disease at an early age and prolapsed. Zoey had her second repair surgery at the Jasmine clinic in Japan and even though was given a 50/50 success rate survived the procedure and after two weeks was discharged from the Jasmine clinic.
Zoey was stable for two years and three months. Unfortunately she passed away in May of 2021 at the age of 10. We were very lucky to have the beautiful gift of time with her. Zoey has taught Nate unconditional love and how to always stay in the fight all the way to the end. He will never forget the lessons his brave daughter taught him and with his team, continues this fight to honor her legacy.
Michelle Lawson-Fairfield - Mighty Hearts Treasurer
Michelle Lawson-Fairfield’s role to the Mighty Hearts organization is Board Treasurer. Michelle works closely with Nate Estes and Isa Randle behind the scenes on all business aspects to advance Mighty Hearts Project in all areas concerning Education and Advocacy. Her passion for Hope and Support goes hand-in-hand with this very important special mission.
She plays a pivotal role in our 501c3 maintenance and all State reporting regulations. As a treasurer, Michelle oversees the finances for Mighty Heart Project, she is responsible for supporting the organization's strategy with financial resources and creates the organization's budget.
Michelle assists in bringing statistics of the clinics we support. It's vital to provide this very crucial information to our members to decide their next steps for surgery.
The Mighty Hearts Project is a very important cause to her and will continue to bring the best resources to our members. Also, we will continue to provide resources of support to those not able to use the pathway of surgery.
Michelle is the proud mom of Madison, who traveled to Japan in 2020 for mitral valve repair with the Jasmine clinic, and Emmie, a loving Shih Tzu who supports her in every way possible. Michelle loves her "girls" with her entire heart! She will do anything to provide the best care possible for both of them.
Isa Randle - Mighty Hearts Secretary
Isa Randle’s role is Board Secretary to the Mighty Hearts Project organization; she is Swedish born and resides in the United Kingdom. Her focus is to help, guide and give hope to families and their dogs on their journeys dealing with mitral valve disease. Whether they are choosing to go for the surgery option or opting for the non-surgical route.
Isa comes from a professional dog training background and has an in-depth understanding of the impact the disease can cause on a dogs physical, mental and emotional state. She supports, guides and educates members on ways of assisting the Pre and Post operative movement and exercise care.
Isa also enjoys providing information to members about the importance of feeding a wholesome diet, to help support and manage the disease to prolong dog’s life spans. She plays a key role in supporting members by answering their questions and concerns. She moderates and monitors Facebook posts and guides members through their journeys on the Mighty Hearts Project MVD Community Facebook page.
Her chihuahua Lucky underwent mitral valve surgery repair at the Jasmine clinic in 2021. After Lucky’s diagnoses in stage B2 in 2019, he rapidly advanced to stage C2 possibly due to excessive movement / exercise. It was a tough period for Isa, trying to get Lucky to surgery in Japan due to Covid times with travel restrictions, entry bans and strict visa applications. Isa kept Lucky stable in stage C2 for nearly two years in wait for his surgery date.
Isa provided a wholesome well-balanced diet, nutritional supplements, holistic medicines and restricted movement - all which contributed to prolonging his life. Lucky’s surgery was a success, it’s given him a new lease on life. At 14 years of age, he is thriving. Isa wishes to help members and their dogs stay strong and positive on their MVD journeys with her knowledge and support.