Love on a Leash

In many ways, six-year-old Buddy the Miracle Lab is like any other dog. He enjoys carrying around his favorite bones or stuffed animals, taking long walks and visiting the Starkville Community Market on Saturday mornings.

But those who know Buddy know just how much he has overcome, and how a traumatic attack from five years ago has not dampened his spirit in the slightest.

“He brings so much light and hope to people,” said Dr. Betsy Swanson, the MSU CVM Animal Health Center veterinarian who was over Buddy’s care and would later go on to adopt him. “Sometimes I’m amazed by the stories that I hear of where people have come from and what Buddy means to them, and sometimes it’s not something I expect.”

In April 2021, Buddy was found in Tate County with an electrical cord wrapped around his neck and his face completely burned, which a juvenile later admitted to intentionally doing. Though his injuries were critical, Buddy was up for the fight. After 10 months, many skin grafts and around-the-clock care by CVM faculty, staff and students, he walked out of the AHC in February 2022 with a new life to live. Just a few months later, Buddy’s Law – which requires mandatory mental health evaluations for children who intentionally harm animals – was passed, further protecting innocent pets like Buddy.

It might seem like the story should end there: Buddy had successfully won his battle against such devastating injuries and found a forever home in the process. His purpose in life, however, was only beginning.

It started with getting out into the public in appreciation of the many people who had rallied around Buddy as he recovered.

“For me, being involved in the community is important, and for Buddy especially, there was a huge community outpouring of support: the financial assistance, the prayers” Dr. Swanson explained. “To be honest, Buddy wouldn’t have been here without any of that.”

Despite the heartbreaking attack, Buddy never stopped loving people, and there were few things he enjoyed more than getting to be around them as much as possible. His heart told the story that the scars on his face didn’t, Swanson shared, and it was apparent that his love of everybody could go on to make a difference in many people’s lives.

That’s where Love on a Leash, a pet-assisted therapy group that facilitates visits to places such as hospitals and schools, entered his story.

“We just thought that was one way that we could give back, and it would bring meaning to people with him being a burn survivor himself,” Dr. Swanson said.

Buddy began working toward becoming a therapy dog, first earning his American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen title and later passing a controlled behavior evaluation. He’s now officially ready to begin supervised visits through Love on a Leash, where he will continue to inspire everyone with his sweet demeanor and wagging tail.

“I think people look at that and see his resilience and see that trust, and they see him out there as a normal dog,” Dr. Swanson explained. “That gives people a feeling of hope and strength and resilience, and I hear that all the time. That’s what Buddy is. I think he’s a ray of light in this world, and I’m happy to share it.”