A dog nursed back to health by the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine surprised graduates by taking the commencement stage.
AMES, Iowa — The newest graduates of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine got an unexpected reminder Saturday of why they chose their careers, as one of their own patients unexpectedly walked across the graduation stage.
On Christmas Eve in Des Moines, Honey, a dog hit by a car, walked onto the stage at a college graduation ceremony, eliciting gasps and cheers from the crowd. For many new graduates, university faculty and staff at Lloyd’s Veterinary Medical Centre, this moment marks the end of a months-long journey that began last December.
Honey’s owner, a homeless man in Des Moines, couldn’t afford her care but didn’t want her to be euthanized. His friend drove Honey to Iowa, where the owner turned her over to get her the help she needed.
“She got hit by a car in Des Moines on Christmas Eve,” said Laura Bradner, who now raises Honey. “Her skull was completely fractured. Her sinuses were fractured.”
The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center team immediately began stabilizing Honey and treating her injuries. Dan Grooms, Ph.D., dean of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said the work goes well beyond setting bones.
“Repairing broken bones, repairing what they can repair — most importantly trying to understand and deal with the brain trauma that has occurred,” Grooms said.
Honey receives rehabilitation services at the medical center five days a week. Funding for her treatment comes from Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids, a nonprofit that has raised $27,000 for her treatment so far.
“We provide funding and help guide care,” said Jan Erceg, founder and medical director of Critter Crusaders. “We work directly with physicians to develop treatment plans.”
The students, who have now graduated, have cared for Honey throughout her final year at school, making her recovery personal to the class. Grooms said the experience gave them things that textbooks couldn’t.
“I think it’s just about giving them an idea of what they can do and the impact they can have in caring for animals,” he said.
Bradner, who has watched Honey’s transformation up close, said the dog’s personality has proven to be as resilient as her body.
“She had a very sweet personality. You could expect her to do anything, take her anywhere, and she just went with the flow,” Bradner said. “You could see in her eyes that she loved life.”
Bradner said Honey may be in the final weeks of recovery.
