Sort out a sick pup to help (7)
I believe the answer is:
support
'help' is the definition.
(support is a kind of help)
'sort out a sick pup' is the wordplay.
'out' is an insertion indicator.
'a sick' is an anagram indicator.
'pup' anagrammed gives 'upp'.
'sort' placed around 'upp' is 'SUPPORT'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for support that I've seen before include "Encourage - endorse" , "Buttress" , "Uphold" , "Keep from falling, as crutch does (7)" , "Stay" .)