Success Stories
Storm's Story
Storm — affectionately known as Stormy — is an energetic eight-month-old Chinese Crested who joined her family at just three months old after a co-worker’s dog had a litter. With her loving personality and playful spirit, she quickly stole everyone’s heart.
As the youngest of three dogs in the household, Stormy spends most of her time playing with Bambi, a one-year-old mixed breed who shares her love of zooming through the house and bouncing on and off the couch.
But during one of those playful moments, Stormy landed the wrong way and fractured her paw.
To repair the injury, veterinarians performed surgery, placing a small metal plate and screws to stabilize the bone and give it the best chance to heal.
Stormy now faces six weeks of strict cage rest — not easy for such a playful pup. After two weeks, her stitches have been removed and she is healing well. While she isn’t thrilled about missing the action, her family has created “Stormy’s Sanctuary,” a cozy recovery space where she can rest comfortably.
With support from the Pieper Olson Foundation, Stormy received the care she needed and is now well on her way to recovery. Her family is already counting down the days until she and Bambi can safely return to their favorite game of zoomies.
Wheezie’s Story
Wheezie is a one-and-a-half-year-old ferret who joined his family as a tiny baby just over a year ago. From the beginning, he quickly found his place in a lively household that includes five cats and a dog. Despite the size differences, Wheezie fits right in — and the cats, in particular, seem to think he’s one of their own. They love chasing, playing, and exploring the house together.
But one weekend, Wheezie’s family noticed something wasn’t right.
He began gagging and soon vomited, then quickly became lethargic. Concerned about the sudden change in his behavior, his family brought him to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center for evaluation.
Initial bloodwork came back normal, but an X-ray revealed the real problem — Wheezie had swallowed a foreign object that was now causing a dangerous obstruction.
Wheezie required emergency surgery to remove the object, which turned out to be a hair tie — a small household item that can pose a serious risk to curious pets.
The Pieper Olson Foundation was able to step in and help ensure Wheezie received the urgent care he needed.
After surgery, Wheezie spent two nights in the hospital recovering under close veterinary supervision. Today, he is back home where he belongs. He’s eating well, taking his medications like a champ, and enjoying plenty of extra cuddles from his family.
Darwin's Story
Darwin came into his human sister’s life when she was just seven years old. Now fifteen, she and Darwin are rarely apart. They’ve grown up together — through school days, quiet nights, laughter, and all the ordinary moments that turn into the most meaningful memories.
At home, Darwin is also part of a lively pack, with four canine siblings who love nothing more than a good rough-and-tumble play session outside. It was during one of those playful afternoons that Darwin was accidentally knocked in the head.
At first, the injury seemed minor. His family did everything right — they brought him to the vet, followed instructions, and watched him closely as he appeared to heal. But a short time later, Darwin began stumbling and falling. Medication was started with hope that time would finish what his body had begun.
Unfortunately, it didn’t.
One morning, Darwin was lethargic and withdrawn, curled tightly into himself. Then he began to seize. His family rushed him for emergency care, and he was immediately transferred to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center.
An MRI revealed devastating news: the original injury had not healed properly and had developed into an abscess. Darwin would need brain surgery to survive — and to have any chance at a healthy future.
In that frightening moment, the Pieper Olson Foundation was able to step in and stand beside Darwin’s family. Because of that support, Darwin received the life-saving surgery he urgently needed.
Today, Darwin is back home — not quite ready for rough play just yet — but healing. Each day he grows stronger, steadier, and more himself again. And once more, he is right where he belongs: by his sister’s side.
Rugar’s Story
Rugar is an 8-year-old, floppy-eared Coonhound who has been part of his family since he was just 10 weeks old. Through life’s ups and downs, he has been a steady source of comfort and companionship for his mom — especially during some very difficult seasons.
One evening, while visiting a friend, Rugar was left alone in the apartment for a short time — something he had done many times before without issue. But this time was different. A fryer had been left out to cool before cleaning, and curious Rugar got into the grease.
He ate his dinner as usual that night, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But in the early morning hours, Rugar began hacking and drooling excessively. His mom knew immediately that something wasn’t right. Within hours, he was at his regular veterinarian, who quickly referred him to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center for emergency care.
At Pieper, doctors determined that Rugar was suffering from Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat — a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention. His family was facing not only a medical emergency, but the financial strain that often comes with urgent, lifesaving care.
The Pieper Olson Foundation was able to step in and help ease that burden, allowing Rugar’s family to focus on what mattered most — his recovery.
Today, Rugar is back home, floppy ears and all, and well on his way to returning to his happy, loving self. For his mom, having him back by her side means everything. In a moment that felt overwhelming and frightening, she wasn’t alone — and Rugar got the second chance he deserved.
Willow's Story
Willow is a six-year-old Pit Bull with a big heart and an even bigger capacity for love. She joined her family three and a half years ago after being rescued from an unsafe situation with eight other dogs. Since then, she has known what every dog deserves: safety, comfort, and a family that adores her.
This past Christmas morning was everything Willow loves most — surrounded by her people, lots of affection, and presents just for her. But the joy of the holiday faded quickly. The next morning, Willow didn’t seem quite right. Although she was still drinking water and moving around, she refused to eat — something completely out of character for her.
Within a day, her condition worsened. Willow became lethargic and began vomiting, and her family knew they couldn’t wait. They rushed her to Pieper Olson Veterinary Center, where testing revealed a dangerous intestinal obstruction.
At first, the medical team hoped Willow might be able to pass whatever she had swallowed on her own. But despite careful monitoring, she continued to decline. When her family brought her back, it became clear that surgery was the only way to save her life.
Faced with an overwhelming and unexpected expense, Willow’s family turned to the Pieper Olson Foundation. The Foundation was able to step in and help cover the cost of Willow’s surgery, giving her the chance she needed to survive.
Today, Willow is back home where she belongs — recovering, healing, and quickly returning to her lovable, joyful self. Thanks to timely medical care and the generosity of donors, Willow’s story didn’t end in heartbreak, but in hope.
Ranger’s Story
Ranger is a one-and-a-half-year-old Brittany Spaniel with boundless energy and a personality as big as his heart. His family describes him as headstrong, playful, and deeply devoted — the kind of dog who brings constant joy and laughter into their home.
Over the holidays, Ranger’s entire family was down with the flu. In the middle of caring for one another, they noticed Ranger wasn’t himself. He was vomiting throughout the day, unusually lethargic, and clearly uncomfortable. Fearing he may have swallowed something he shouldn’t have — possibly a stray sock — his family rushed him to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center.
An ultrasound was performed, but the results were inconclusive. The medical team recommended giving Ranger time to see if nature would take its course and allow him to pass whatever might be causing the issue. His family brought him home, hopeful that rest and time would help.
By Sunday, it was clear Ranger was in trouble.
His symptoms had worsened, and his family rushed him back to Pieper Memorial. This time, an X-ray revealed the obstruction. After careful discussion of the available options, it was determined that surgery would give Ranger his best chance at a full recovery.
The cost of surgery was overwhelming for Ranger’s family — especially during an already stressful and uncertain time. That’s when the Pieper Olson Foundation stepped in.
With the Foundation’s support, Ranger was able to receive the surgery he urgently needed without delay. The financial burden was eased, allowing his family to focus on what mattered most: Ranger’s recovery.
Today, Ranger is back to being his high-energy, playful self — healthy, happy, and home with the family who loves him.
The Pieper Olson Foundation is proud to be part of Ranger’s journey home.
Kayla's Story
Kayla is a two-year-old Black Lab–German Shepherd mix who is usually calm, gentle, and always close to her family. She rarely even needs a leash. But in a single, frightening moment, everything changed. Startled by a passing FedEx truck, Kayla chased after it, trying to bite the front tire—and suffering a catastrophic injury. As she bled, her family rushed her to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center.
There the doctors knew they could save her life, but only if they amputated her right front paw.
The surgery was complex and costly. In their darkest hour, Kayla’s family turned to the Pieper Olson Foundation—and we were there for her. Today, Kayla is healed, back in her loving home, and moving through life with the same joy and determination as ever.
Stories like Kayla’s remind us why we do what we do. The Pieper Olson Foundation is honored to have been part of Kayla’s journey home.
Odin’s Story
Odin is a five-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier who has been part of his family since he was just four and a half weeks old. He is deeply loved and truly a member of the family.
When Odin began vomiting pieces of his favorite throw balls, his family knew something wasn’t right. They brought him to the veterinarian, where bloodwork showed some abnormalities. An ultrasound of his small intestine couldn’t rule out an obstruction, but when Odin passed some material and seemed briefly better, they hoped the worst had passed.
Then everything changed. Odin began vomiting again, and his family rushed him back to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center. Comparative X-rays revealed serious concerns. While other options were considered, the doctors feared that without surgery, sepsis could set in.
The cost of surgery was overwhelming—but the Pieper Olson Foundation stepped in to help. During surgery, it was discovered that Odin was completely obstructed in two places. Without immediate intervention, he would not have survived.
Today, Odin is healthy, happy, and back home with the family who has loved him since he was a puppy. The Pieper Olson Foundation is proud to have been part of Odin’s journey home.
Tikka's Story
Tikka is a 5-month-old kitten who likes to cuddle with her sister and play with her foster family. When Tikka grew lethargic and stopped eating, her foster family knew something was not right and brought her into Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center.
There was indeed a problem, Tikka had swallowed a piece of string so thin doctors were barely able to see it on an ultrasound. Fostered through Monkey’s Pack Rescue, a Connecticut non-profit animal rescue, little Tikka was a good candidate for surgery with a great chance for a full recovery. The Pieper Olson Foundation stepped in and offered to help Monkey’s Pack Rescue with the cost of getting Tikka healthy and back home.
Tikka made it through surgery and is on the road to recovery, back home with her sister, ready for adoption by her foster family. At Pieper Olson Foundation, we love hearing stories of pets being able to return to the families that love them and we’re proud of any part we can play in their journey home.
Tiffany’s Story
Tiffany is a 9-month-old Long-Haired Chihuahua who loves snuggling with her family, playing fetch, carrying around her toy hedgehog, and enjoying any treat that involves chicken.
Late in the summer, Tiffany was curled up on her mother’s lap enjoying a quiet moment outdoors when a child suddenly ran past. Startled, she leapt from the chair — something she had done many times before — but this time she landed wrong and broke her leg.
Tiffany’s leg wasn’t healing as hoped, so her family brought her to Lebanon Veterinary Hospital, part of the Pieper Veterinary system, for further care. There, the medical team determined that Tiffany’s bones had shifted in a way that would no longer allow them to heal properly.
The course of action that would give Tiffany the best chance at a pain-free, active life was to perform an amputation. While a difficult decision, removing the injured leg would relieve her from ongoing pain and allow her to move forward with comfort, confidence, and the ability to thrive again. But the surgery and follow-up care represented an overwhelming expense for her family.
The team at Lebanon Veterinary Hospital contacted the Pieper Olson Foundation, which was able to provide a grant to help cover the cost of Tiffany’s surgery. Tiffany came through the procedure like a rockstar, and she is back home today — snuggling, playing, and still hoping for chicken treats.
At the Pieper Olson Foundation, we are grateful to have played even a small role in Tiffany’s journey home. Stories like hers remind us why we do what we do: one pet, one family, one act of compassion at a time.
Beauty’s Story
Beauty is an 8-year-old Bully with a big heart and an even bigger love for life. She’s happiest on car rides, camping trips, long walks, and—most of all—snuggling with her 5-month-old human sister. Normally full of energy, Beauty suddenly wasn’t herself. She grew tired, her appetite dropped, and her mom noticed her belly seemed to be getting bigger. Fearing she might be pregnant, her family brought her to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center.
After an exam and testing, the doctors discovered something far more serious: Beauty wasn’t expecting puppies—she was facing a life-threatening condition called Pyometra. This dangerous infection traps bacteria inside the uterus, and without immediate surgery, it can cause rupture, sepsis, or kidney failure.
Beauty’s only chance was emergency surgery. Thankfully, she was otherwise strong and healthy, giving her an excellent chance to recover—but the procedure and care would cost between $6,000 and $8,000, an overwhelming amount for her family.
That’s when the Pieper Olson Foundation stepped in. With a grant to help cover her surgery, Beauty got the chance she desperately needed. She came through the operation like a true superstar and has since made a full recovery.
Today, Beauty is back home—back to her car rides, her adventures, and most importantly, back to her baby sister, right where she belongs.
At Pieper Olson Foundation, we love hearing the stories of pets being able to return to the families that love them and we’re proud of any part we can play in their journey home. Stories like Beauty’s remind us why we do what we do—and why every pet deserves the chance to come home.
Tosho's Story
Five years ago, a little white kitten wandered into his dad’s lives completely by surprise. A neighborhood stray with no baggage and a big personality, he chose his family, made himself comfortable, and turned what was meant to be a temporary stay into a permanent home filled with love.
From the very beginning, Tosho had a habit of swallowing anything that crossed his path—once even gulping down a syringe cap right in the vet’s office!
This time, however, it was different. During a routine check-up, Tosho suddenly began vomiting blood. The staff at Pieper Memorial acted quickly and discovered that he had swallowed yet another foreign object and would need emergency surgery.
The good news: Tosho had an excellent prognosis, and surgery would give him every chance to return home. The challenge: the cost of the procedure was more than his family could manage—just as it would be for so many families facing an unexpected emergency.
That’s where the Pieper Olson Foundation was able to help. Thanks to donor generosity, we provided a grant to ease the financial burden so Tosho could receive the care he needed.
Today, Tosho is back home, recovering from his latest culinary adventure. At the Pieper Olson Foundation, we are grateful for every opportunity to help a beloved pet make it back to the family who loves them. Stories like Tosho’s remind us why we do what we do—and why every pet deserves the chance to come home.
