Animal Cancer and Referral Center

Today, I don’t just wear a graduation cap… I wear courage. 💙🐾

Hi friends! My name is Norman. A few months ago, my family noticed my lymph nodes were getting bigger. After some tests, my doctors discovered I had B-cell multicentric lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It was scary news, but I had something even stronger on my side—my family and an incredible oncology team.

Over the past 19 weeks, I tackled the CHOP chemotherapy protocol, one treatment and one tail wag at a time. Dogs are pretty good at living in the moment, and I never stopped enjoying belly rubs, naps, and being with the people I love.

Today, I received my final chemotherapy treatment! 🎓

My next chapter includes maintenance chlorambucil chemotherapy every other day to help keep my lymphoma under control, along with regular checkups to make sure I’m continuing to feel my best.

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs, but it’s also one of the most responsive to chemotherapy. Treatment can often provide many months of excellent quality of life—and that’s exactly what I’ve been enjoying.

Thank you to Dr. Kaiser and everyone at the Animal Cancer & Referral Center for helping me keep chasing adventures, making my family smile, and reminding us that every day is worth celebrating.

Cancer may have taken one of my legs, but it never took away my spirit. 🐾

Hi everyone… I’m Duke.

Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). My doctors removed my painful leg to help me feel better, and together with my family, I began a journey through six rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy to help fight any cancer cells that couldn’t be seen.

It wasn’t always easy. My doctors had to adjust my chemotherapy sometimes, and they watched me closely every step of the way to keep me healthy and safe.

Today, I’m proud to say…

🎓 I graduated from chemotherapy! 🎉

I’m eating well, enjoying life, and keeping up with all the things I love. Today marks the successful completion of my chemotherapy treatment!

This journey reminded my family that cancer isn’t just about medicine—it’s about hope, courage, and making every day count.

Thank you to my incredible family for never giving up on me, and thank you to the entire team at Animal Cancer & Referral Center for helping me live life to the fullest.

Love,
🎓 Duke, Chemo Graduate 🐾💙

Hi friends… I’m Archer.

I’m a 10-year-old Golden Retriever, and a few months ago, my family and I were thrown into a journey we never expected.

After I wasn’t feeling like myself, my doctors discovered something called hemangiosarcoma—an aggressive cancer that started in my spleen and had already spread to my liver. My spleen had ruptured, causing internal bleeding, and I needed emergency surgery to save my life.

Even before all of that, I had already beaten a couple of mast cell tumors. My family always stood by me, and when this new diagnosis came, they promised we would keep fighting together.

Since then, I’ve had five doxorubicin chemotherapy treatments. I’ll admit… there were days I wasn’t feeling my best. Sometimes I needed extra naps, a little medicine for my tummy, and lots of snuggles.

But through it all, I was never alone.

My family was there for every appointment, every treat afterward, every belly rub, and every reminder that I was the best boy.

Today, I’m proud to say…

🎓 I’m a Chemo Graduate! 🎓

Graduation doesn’t mean my journey is over—it simply means I’ve reached an important milestone. My doctors will continue watching over me, and I’ll keep enjoying every adventure, every sniff, and every day I get to spend with the people I love most.

If your pet has recently been diagnosed with cancer, I hope my story gives you a little encouragement.

Cancer is scary, but it doesn’t take away the joy of being a dog.

There are still walks to enjoy.
Still tennis balls to chase.
Still treats to beg for.
Still memories waiting to be made.

And most importantly…

There is still hope.

With a happy heart and a wagging tail,

❤️ Archer
Chemo Graduate 🐾

Hi, I’m Owen. 🐾

A few months ago, no one knew I had a tumor growing on my spleen.

Maybe you would have noticed that I wasn’t quite myself. I might have seemed more tired after our walks, not been as excited for meals, or wanted to rest more than usual. Some dogs with my type of cancer suddenly become weak, have pale gums, or even collapse because these tumors can bleed without warning. That’s exactly what makes hemangiosarcoma so scary—it often hides until it becomes an emergency.

My family acted quickly, and I had surgery to remove my spleen. That surgery saved my life and gave us the chance to keep fighting.

Every three weeks, I came to see my oncology team for doxorubicin treatments. They always made sure I was comfortable, checked my bloodwork, gave me medications to help prevent nausea, and cheered me on every step of the way.

This week, I crossed the graduation stage after five chemotherapy treatments! 🎓

Right now, there is no evidence of detectable disease (NED), and that’s a milestone worth celebrating! My journey isn’t over, though. Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive cancer, so I’ll continue coming back for chest X-rays and abdominal imaging every couple of months to watch for any signs that it may return.

Today isn’t about saying goodbye to cancer forever. It’s about celebrating every extra adventure, every tail wag, every belly rub, every car ride, and every day I get to spend with the people I love.

Thank you to my family for never giving up on me, and to my oncology team for helping make my life better, longer.

With lots of furry love,
Owen 🐾💙

Hi, I’m Owen. 🐾

A few months ago, no one knew I had a tumor growing on my spleen.

Maybe you would have noticed that I wasn’t quite myself. I might have seemed more tired after our walks, not been as excited for meals, or wanted to rest more than usual. Some dogs with my type of cancer suddenly become weak, have pale gums, or even collapse because these tumors can bleed without warning. That’s exactly what makes hemangiosarcoma so scary—it often hides until it becomes an emergency.

My family acted quickly, and I had surgery to remove my spleen. That surgery saved my life and gave us the chance to keep fighting.

Every three weeks, I came to see my oncology team for doxorubicin treatments. They always made sure I was comfortable, checked my bloodwork, gave me medications to help prevent nausea, and cheered me on every step of the way.

This week, I crossed the graduation stage after five chemotherapy treatments! 🎓

Right now, there is no evidence of detectable disease (NED), and that’s a milestone worth celebrating! My journey isn’t over, though. Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive cancer, so I’ll continue coming back for chest X-rays and abdominal imaging every couple of months to watch for any signs that it may return.

Today isn’t about saying goodbye to cancer forever. It’s about celebrating every extra adventure, every tail wag, every belly rub, every car ride, and every day I get to spend with the people I love.

Thank you to my family for never giving up on me, and to my oncology team for helping make my life better, longer.

With lots of sloppy kisses,
Owen 🐾💙

🌟🎓 I DID IT! My name is Lucy, and I graduated! 🎓🌟

When my family first heard the words “high-grade mast cell tumor,” they didn’t know what the future would hold.

After surgery, my doctors found that my tumor was aggressive. Because of that, I started a chemotherapy plan with eight vinblastine treatments to help reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

It wasn’t always easy. My white blood cell count dropped a couple of times, so my team adjusted my treatment to keep me safe. Through it all, I kept wagging my tail, enjoying my meals, soaking up love from my family, and showing up for every appointment.

Today, I received my final chemotherapy treatment! 🎉

Does graduating mean cancer is gone forever?
Not necessarily.

With aggressive mast cell tumors, there is always a possibility of recurrence, which is why my journey doesn’t end here. My doctors will continue monitoring me with regular exams, bloodwork, abdominal ultrasounds, and chest imaging every few months so that if anything changes, we can catch it as early as possible.

Today isn’t the end of my story.

It’s the beginning of a new chapter called active surveillance—living life, making memories, and celebrating every good day.

To every family walking this road:
There is hope.
There are options.
And there are entire teams dedicated to helping pets like me live better, longer lives.

Thank you to everyone at Animal Cancer & Referral Center for helping me reach this day.