Mak has spent most of his life helping others. Now, the Canterbury therapy dog is preparing to undergo groundbreaking surgery that could change his own life.

The five year old golden retriever from Diamond Harbour has never been able to catch a tennis ball, take a treat from the air, or even enjoy a proper yawn.

This September, Mak will undergo what is believed to be the first surgery of its kind in New Zealand, in the hope of finally giving him a chance at a more comfortable life.

Mak has become a familiar and much loved face across Canterbury through his work with St John’s Therapy Pet Programme, Christchurch Airport’s PAWS programme, and as a school dog at Broadfield School near Rolleston.

Despite bringing joy to so many others, Mak has quietly lived with an exceptionally rare condition since he was a puppy.

Mak suffers from temporomandibular joint ankylosis, a condition that caused his jaw joint to fuse, leaving him unable to open his mouth more than a few centimetres.

“Mak has never been able to open his mouth normally,” his owner, Kaye Jones, said.

“He’s never been able to pick up a tennis ball, catch a treat or open his mouth wide enough for a proper yawn.”

Jones said Mak has adapted remarkably well over the years, despite living with a condition that is both debilitating and life limiting.

The cruel reality is that his condition has now reached a critical point.

Because Mak cannot open his mouth properly, one of his lower canine teeth has continued growing upwards until it pierced through the roof of his mouth, creating a hole directly into his nasal cavity.

The condition causes ongoing pain, creates a constant risk of infection, and has made eating increasingly difficult.

Adding to the complexity, the tooth cannot simply be removed. “Standard dental treatment isn’t possible because his jaw won’t open,” Jones said.

“Unless surgeons can restore movement to his jaw first, there is no way to repair the damage or stop it getting worse.”

Mak’s story is also deeply personal for Jones. She lost her husband, Pete, to cancer when Mak was just seven months old.

“Since losing Pete, Mak has been by my side every day,” she said.

This September, Mak will travel to the North Island to undergo what veterinarians believe is the first operation of its kind to be performed in New Zealand.

Because of the rarity of the condition, the procedure will involve a multidisciplinary team, including veterinarians, anaesthesia specialists, dentistry and maxillofacial experts, as well as international specialists with experience treating similar cases.

“The hope is that this surgery will allow Mak to live a more comfortable life,” Jones said. “It may also help other dogs with these rare conditions in the future.”

Despite his own challenges, he has spent much of his life helping others, comforting patients, helping anxious travellers at Christchurch Airport, and has brought smiles to students and staff at Broadfield School.

“He’s always adapted,” Jones said. “He’s never complained. He’s just continued to love people.”

The cost of surgery, rehabilitation, and travel from the South Island to the North Island is significant, prompting friends and supporters to establish a Givealittle page to help with Mak’s care. For Jones, however, the story has never been about fundraising.

“He’s spent most of his life helping other people,” she said. “Now it’s his turn to be helped.”

Mak is scheduled to undergo surgery in September.