Nearly 30 Vials of Anti-Venom Needed to Save a Texas Toddler

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

A San Antonio snake wrangler is swimming in cash after lending a helping hand to one local family dealing with some serious snake issues.

Julie of San Antonio told CBS Austin that she heard a blood-curdling scream the day her young son was bit by a small rattlesnake. Jonathan Ellard who is a Bexar County Snake Wrangler was one of the first people Julie got ahold of.

Jonathan wrangles snakes of all shapes and sizes. If necessary, he rehabs them, but always relocates them to a safe habitat.

Julie got ahold of Jonathan after finding out her son was bitten by a small rattlesnake and needed emergency attention. She told CBS Austin her son was bitten on his hand which then swelled up like a Micky Mouse glove. The snake bit the boy right on the thumb. Doctors needed 3 days and almost 30 vials of anti-venom to save the young man's thumb.

Noteworthy is that Julie actually turned to the Nextdoor app to see if anyone in her neighborhood was around and possibly available for help. She posted on the app that they needed assistance with the snake bit and that is when Johnathan answered the call.

Not only did Johnathan remove snakes from their back yard. he found the baby rattler that bit the boy. He then explained to everyone at Julie's house what to do, and what to look out for. The whole family was very grateful.

After the ordeal passed, Julie remembered the kindness of Jonathan and called up Fox San Antonio to nominate him for the Cash for Kindness award.

When presented with the award, Johnathan counted out the bills all the way up to $1000.

Ellard told Fox, “Wow! I'm speechless. I never expected this. I don't do this for money. I feel proud. And, I'm glad I was able to help."