Help Mak Smile: Life-Changing Jaw Surgery for a Brave Golden Retriever

Our Story

Mak is our beautiful, loving Golden Retriever, but he has been enduring a quiet, rare condition since he was a puppy. Mak suffers from a condition called Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Ankylosis—which literally means the fusion of his jaw joint. Because of this, Mak has never been able to open his jaw more than a few centimeters.

Now five years old, Mak has never been able to pick up a tennis ball, catch a treat, or open his mouth wide enough for a proper yawn. It is a severely debilitating and life-limiting condition, and it is incredibly rare worldwide, let alone here in New Zealand. Despite his own struggles, Mak has adapted and spent most of his life bringing joy to others. As a dedicated therapy pet, he has given immense comfort, love, and emotional support to people in need. Now, it’s our turn to give back to a dog who has given so much of himself to others.

Why Mak Needs Our Help Now - Living with a fused jaw has caused severe complications for Mak: Because he can't open his mouth normally, his lower canine tooth has grown directly through his upper palate, creating a hole (fistula) straight into his nasal cavity.

No Standard Care Possible: Mak desperately needs dental work to fix this, but because he cannot open his mouth, standard dental procedures are completely impossible without correcting his jaw first. Without surgery, these complications will continue to worsen and significantly affect both Mak's quality of life and his future.