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Thousands of patients walk through
the Veterinary Medical Teaching
Hospital (VMTH) doors at the Texas
A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences (CVM) each
and Vonn’s team at the VMTH felt
confident that he would become a
special member of her family.
Rodgers has a soft place in her
heart for pit bulls, and as soon as she
year, each patient with a unique story
became aware of Vonn’s story, she
to be told. Covered in bandages from
knew she had to do something. She
head to paw, Vonn had a heavy story
visited him every day to check on his
to tell. Fortunately, the VMTH special-
progress. She also helped to raise
ists, the CVM, the community, and his The CVM’s own Chastity Rodgers adopted Vonn. Here he awareness of Vonn’s unfortunate
own strong spirit helped turn his story settles in at home with her and her Great Dane, Keightly.
situation to the public and, with her
into one with a happy ending.
help, the community showed amaz-
The story started August 17, 2011, when two pit bulls, Espering emotional and financial support for him.
anza and her puppy Vonn, were brought to Aggieland Animal “Vonn is a community dog,” Rodgers said. “His strength to live
Health Center by a concerned citizen, Christi Wuthrich, who along with the fantastic team at the VMTH, Aggieland Animal
found the dogs near her home with injuries indicative of severe Health Center, Christi Wuthrich, and the community of support
abuse.
that flooded our emails and phone lines proved that his success
Esperanza’s ailments were evident as her whiskers were singed was a community effort.”
off, she had sustained a fractured pelvis, and she had extensive “I am extremely happy to have a new member in my family
bite marks across her body. Dr. Barbara Hannes, veterinarian to join my Great Dane, Keightly,” Rodgers added. “As soon as
with the Aggieland Animal Health Center, and her team felt they met, Keightly and Vonn became best friends. I am forever
confident that they could treat Esperanza in house. Vonn, Espe- grateful to all of the supporters and to the miraculous team at
ranza’s then six-month-old puppy, however, had sustained very the VMTH for saving his life. I promise that he will be a frequent
severe burns all over his body, possibly exposing him to deadly visitor.”
infections. To give him the best chance at survival, Hannes
Barr said Vonn is healed of his burns, and he has asked Rodg-
enlisted the help of Dr. James Barr, clinical assistant professor ers to bring Vonn in for regular check-ups.
of emergency and critical care at the CVM, to treat Vonn. Soon Dr. Bonnie Beaver, professor in behavior medicine at the
afterward, Terry Stiles, director of the VMTH, approved treat- VMTH, performed a temperament test on Vonn before his dement
for Vonn. Around 10 p.m., Barr and his critical care team parture, and he passed with flying colors.
of residents and technicians transferred Vonn to the VMTH and Uncertain of the conditions Vonn was exposed to before treat-
began treatment.
ment, Rodgers will continue to be cautious with Vonn to ensure
“With any burn victim, the major wildcard was possible infec- that his health and happiness are the number one priorities in
tion,” Barr said. “Our foremost concern was taking care of Vonn his continued healing process.
and his needs. We would like to give credit to Dr. Hannes and Although Smith was thrilled with Rodger’s decision to adopt
thank her for stabilizing Vonn and Esperanza.”
Vonn, she missed his lively spirit at the ICU.
Barr explained that Dr. Brooke Smith, veterinary resident “All I can say is that this place definitely felt the void when
instructor in critical care at the CVM, was the quarterback for Vonn was adopted. He was the face that everyone looked forward
Vonn’s case, and Dr. Katy Fryer, veterinary resident instructor in to seeing when they walked into the hospital,” Smith said. “He
surgery at the CVM, was in charge of Vonn’s care during surgery. stopped the crowds with his playful puppy personality. He is
A week after Vonn’s admission, Smith reported, “Vonn is absolutely a precious gem.”
swiftly becoming the mascot of the Small Animal Hospital. He Dr. Eleanor Green, Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine
knows his daily routine perfectly and leads us to the treatment at the CVM, was also excited about Vonn’s success story.
room every morning for his daily wound care. We found out that “This was a sad story, but we are grateful that we have the
his new favorite food is scrambled eggs. We think that is why greatest team of specialists and state -of-the-art tools that gave
he continues to be optimistic about his anesthesia, because he Vonn the best chance at survival,” Green said. “It is clear that
knows he will get a home-cooked breakfast after he wakes up.” both Esperanza’s and Vonn’s paths changed dramatically when
Smith provided daily updates via the college’s website and Christi Wuthrich, Dr. Hannes and the CVM, intervened in their
Facebook page to keep concerned community members
lives. My heartfelt thanks go out to them, the veterinary teams
informed.
who provided the best of care for both dogs, and to members of
As a good Samaritan patient, Vonn did not have an owner to the community whose generosity has supported their care. These
pay for his treatment. His treatment was paid for by concerned personal donations have been essential. Animal abuse of any
citizens through the Capper & Chris Save the Animals Fund. kind is troubling, but the compassion of all involved in Vonn’s
The fund, created by Capper Thompson, was established as a case is inspirational.”
memorial to Texas A&M student Chris Stehouwer. Thompson Barr echoed the same thankfulness. “We, at the VMTH, would
envisioned the fund as the perfect way to both help sick animals like to thank everyone who supported Vonn through this tough,
in need and, at the same time, provide valuable training for yet very successful journey,” he said.
veterinary students.
“We are truly amazed at the progress that Vonn has made, and
After nearly three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we think that his recovery is nothing short of a miracle. We are
Vonn was adopted by a member of the CVM family. Chastity very confident that Rodgers makes the perfect owner for Vonn,
Rodgers, director of development and alumni relations, showed because she knows his true heart and that he was born to shine
exceptional support for Vonn during his treatment at the VMTH, and be an inspiration to all,” he added.
CVM Today • Winter 2012 • 11