Two Hooded Seals Get Ambulance Ride To Freedom!

File under: "Not your usual ambulance passengers”!

It was shortly after 10 a.m. on a Saturday when an ambulance came rolling across the Powder Point Bridge in Duxbury to a parking lot near the open ocean. No lights, no sirens—but unmistakably an ambulance.

This time, though, the transported patients weren't humans, but two hooded seals, being taken to their release destination—the ocean at Duxbury Beach. The ambulance that gave these two seals their ride to freedom was donated by Fallon Ambulance to the New England Aquarium in the fall of 2000.

"For us, the Aquarium donation was a wonderful opportunity," said Peter Racicot, Fallon's Vice President of Business Development, adding, "It helps the environment, helps a great organization continue to do their work, and gives a helping hand where needed." He said that some of the Fallon staff had suggested renaming the ambulance the "Dolph-Ulance" because of its new mission. He added, "The vehicles that we trade in or donate have lots of miles left in them, and it's great to see these vehicles undergo a 'second career.'”

The two seals had been treated at the New England Aquarium's satellite site in Duxbury. "Patch" and "Mini-patch" were rescued in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and Assateague Island, Virginia, respectively. Patch, the larger seal, was rescued in August, and when found stranded, was dehydrated and underweight. He was also discovered eating beach sand—a sign that the animal's condition was worsening rapidly.

Mini-patch, who was stranded in early September, suffered similar ailments. Both were sent to Duxbury for rehabilitation. The New England Aquarium's Rehabilitation Center is located on the waterfront on land owned by the Battelle Memorial Institute.

"Just like people, seals come to Boston for great medical care," said an official of the New England Aquarium.

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.