Timmy was raised from puppyhood by a family who, when their circumstances changed, made the tough decision to list Timmy for adoption when they downsized to a smaller apartment. His owners hoped to find Timmy a good home that would be better suited for a dog with his energy levels and were happy when an SDF recruiter saw their listing and reached out. The recruiter arranged an evaluation and knew he had found a good potential candidate when he saw how excited Timmy got when offered a tennis ball!
Timmy made his way to the NTC, and once here, he was eagerly accepted into our program. Before long, this big, lovable chocolate Lab was rocking his rubble searches and having a blast! He loved engaging with his trainers, and they loved working with this smiley boy. However, due to a medical issue with his shoulder, Timmy could not continue in our search program.
Timmy underwent surgery to treat his shoulder, and SDF Canine Trainer Makayla Kraines kindly agreed to foster him during his recovery. Not long into the temporary foster arrangement, however, she realized Timmy’s lovable personality had completely stolen her heart—she couldn’t bear the idea of parting with him! Timmy had entered our Canine Placement Program before his surgery, making him eligible for adoption to a great home, so Makayla decided to make his temporary stay a permanent one and officially welcomed Timmy into her family for good!
On Timmy’s one-year “gotcha day” anniversary in October 2023, Makayla shared her love for Timmy in a post to her fellow SDF staffers, expressing her gratitude with a sweet sentiment, “Thank you for letting me adopt my best friend.” One year later, Makayla’s love for Timmy is as strong as ever, but the updates she shares about Timmy look a little different these days. Unfortunately, Timmy was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year—but thankfully, Makayla is making sure her best friend is getting the care he needs to give him the best chance at a happy, healthy life!
Timmy is being treated by the wonderful staff at the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG), where he recently completed a round of chemotherapy. This very brave boy was even named Patient of the Month by his friends there! Upon the completion of his first round of chemotherapy, Timmy donned a graduation cap and ‘Cancer Survivor’ bandana to commemorate the milestone and celebrated with plenty of treats and loads of love from his favorite humans.
Between the fantastic care he’s receiving at VMSG and Makayla’s boundless devotion and love for her best buddy, we know Timmy is in the best hands possible, and for that, we are incredibly grateful. As his health journey continues, Timmy’s SDF family is rooting for him every step of the way and will continue sending all our love and best wishes! ❤️
Click here to learn more about our Canine Placement Program!