Community rallies around animal control officer

Posted 7/21/21

Morgan, is known as a dedicated, compassionate, and hardworking community leader and father of two.

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Community rallies around animal control officer

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LABELLE- Local and beloved Animal Control Officer, Douglas Morgan, is known as a dedicated, compassionate, and hardworking community leader and father of two. Recently, he experienced a painful injury that has temporarily sidelined him from doing the things he loves.

“Doug has been an active member in LaBelle, Florida celebrating his 19th year with LaBelle Animal Control June 4th!” explained Jennifer Mungillo, organizer of a GoFundMe fundraiser for Morgan. “He is a proud involved father to two boys who love him dearly.”

She went on, “Doug not only has a passion for the animals but also weight lifting. He has always stayed very active and involved until early June when two discs in his lower back exploded; causing severe pain on his lower left side, while causing his right side to go completely numb from the waist down.”

Morgan went through emergency surgery, performed by a neurosurgeon, hoping to resolve the problem.  But he still has severe pain and very little feeling or control in his right leg.

“His recovery is now on hold because of two massive blood clots in his calf. He's on blood thinners and doing everything he can to diminish the blood clots which also means keeping his leg elevated all day and night,” Mungillo said. “He cannot work until he is completely healed and has been out of work for over a month. Monthly bills and medical bills are piling up.”

Morgan’s GoFundMe has raised $1,155 with a goal of $3,000.

“I can't say enough about how this man gives and gives and gives to our community and its animal population. Please take a moment to give something back to Doug in his time of need,” said Laura Reed, a friend of Morgan’s.

The first four weeks after surgery Morgan was confined to his bed, due to surgical recovery and from the pain from the blood clots that developed a week after the operation.

“I hardly had an appetite from all the pain and not being able to get around, losing almost 45 pounds,” Morgan said.

“Physical therapy has been tough, but I believe it’s been helping,” Morgan explained. “The pain from the blood clots has been gone about a week now and I have been able to get my appetite back and get into exercises that should help my nerves kick back into gear and hopefully regain full use of my hip and leg!”

His doctors are hopeful for a full recovery, it is just a matter of time.

“I’ve been pretty depressed these passed 6 weeks, but several of my friends, doctors and my girlfriend have been staying on me and trying to keep me positive,” said Morgan. “I definitely don’t feel like myself, but still am happy to be alive and upright. I’m so grateful for all the friends I have and for the City and our small town of LaBelle to help me- I’ve definitely needed it. I’m never one to ask for help……. Thank you all for your continued help as well.”

Morgan added, “Thank you Jennifer Mungillo for your beautiful write-up about me. Thank you Laura Wilkes Reed, Clyde Beckett, Bill Malphrus, Rick Pope and everyone else that has shared and/or donated. Thanks Bill for also keeping my lawn mowed during this tough patch of my life! Thanks Troy for the couple of home-cooked meals from you, your wife and daughter! Thanks to all that have called, text or messaged me to check on me and give kind words of a quick recovery! The help is greatly appreciated!”

If you’d like to help support Doug Morgan, the link to the fundraiser can be found here:Doug Morgan’s GoFundMe

Support, community, LaBelle, Doug, Morgan, animal control

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