Chelsea Rx raises funds for local canine

Volume One, Issue 30, April 13 - 19, 2007

By Kristin Edwards

A sign posted near the cash register at New London Pharmacy in Chelsea features a picture of a dog dressed like a doctor. Though the sign may appear cute and humorous at first glance, it is soliciting donations for a dog in Chelsea in need of cancer treatment.

Last February, Chelsea resident Tobi Seftel found out that her Bedlington Terrier, Audrey, had cancer. When surgery failed to remove the tumor from her front right leg in its entirety, Seftel considered radiation treatments, which are costly, then turned to Abby Fazio for advice. As owner of New London Pharmacy, a store Seftel and her dog have frequented for years, Fazio quickly brainstormed ways she could help.

“She told me she knew [how expensive the treatments were] and told me to make the poster, and then she offered to match the donations,” said Seftel, who admits she is still in shock regarding the generous act of the pharmacy.

The not-so-random act of kindness comes courtesy of a store that over the years has become not only a cornerstone of the Chelsea community but an epicenter of the neighborhood’s dog culture as well.

Owned by Fazio and her husband, John, a pharmacist, New London has a long track record of good deeds, assisting students and the elderly, giving medicine to seniors having problems with their Medicare, and sometimes going without payment for four or five months at a time. “They always give special service,” said Chelsea resident Richard Adams. “If I need something they call and get it for me. They advance me pills when I need them. They give superior service.”

Unlike large chains such as CVS and Duane Reade, New London also allows dogs inside. “Dogs are part of the family. We know the dogs as well as we know the people,” said Wesley Rowell, public relations officer for the pharmacy.

And though the store doesn’t sell dog food (it sells a line of dog shampoo), employees do give treats to the dogs in the store. “I have customers who come in and tell me that they don’t need to buy anything, but their dogs just dragged them in for the treat,” said Fazio with a laugh.

So it was when Fazio offered to collect and match donations for Audrey. She did so because she cared about the dog and wanted to give back to the neighborhood. Though she is running a business, money is not the main priority. “Helping the community is more important,” she said.

That’s hardly surprising, given her roots. She grew up in Chelsea and has worked at the pharmacy since 1975, when she was still in high school. John was a pharmacist and co-owner of the store with two other partners at the time, and the two married in the 1990s. After their marriage, Abby bought out the other partners, who were about to retire, and the Fazios went on to revamp the store to include high-end beauty produces found only in places like Barney’s, “but without the attitude,” said Rowell.

As of Tuesday, the pharmacy over the course of three weeks had raised $2,000 for Audrey—who has recently started a series of 20 radiation treatments, five days a week—all by word of mouth. Many of the people who donated have given $200 or $300, and many donors have remained anonymous. “And a lot of people put the money in the envelope without letting people see what they give,” said Alo Lipio, a sales associate at the store, who added that many were first-time customers. “I’ve never seen many of them before. I think a lot of our regular customers don’t even notice the sign.”

While the employees say people have been generous, they also tell of a funny incident that occurred. “One lady came in, looked at the picture and asked if it was a dog or a person,” Lipio said. “I told her, ‘It’s a dog, ma’am.’”

Seftler, meanwhile, has been overwhelmed by the support of the pharmacy and community. “I just can’t believe they would do this,” she said. “I looked for organizations that might be able to help, but none deal with this. Even the Humane Society couldn’t help. They help find homes for sick dogs and pay for medical treatment for dogs in need of a home, but they don’t deal with this.”

Seftler tipped Chelsea Now about Fazio’s efforts because she wanted to let people know what a great thing they were doing. She wanted some way to give back.

“This is surprising…. Most people just mind their own business,” she said. “This is beyond caring. It’s so touching.”