POLK CITY, Fla. - When Frederick Wolff passed away earlier this summer, his wife Dawn knew exactly how he would want to be remembered: by helping animals.

What we know:

Last week, Dawn mailed his pacemaker to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tampa, along with a note saying it was a donation "to help a fur baby in need."

Doctors there say the device could now extend the life of a dog and sometimes cats living with a heart condition.

Why you should care:

More than 3 million Americans live with pacemakers, according to the American Heart Association.

While they regulate human heart rhythms, once a person passes away or chooses to upgrade their pacemaker, the device can sometimes be reused to restore an animal’s heartbeat.

Dr. Bradley Harris, a cardiologist and critical care specialist at Bl

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