Before and After Stories
Polly
Polly came to Integrative Veterinary Therapies an untouchable cat. He was living outdoors in a feral cat colony for an unknown amount of time. The colony caretaker had noticed that he wasn't eating much, and was losing weight quickly, so she contacted the Paws and Heroes feline trapper for assistence. She transferred him to the clinic to further evaluate his condition, and to see if there was any hope for him to recover. The Doctor quickly noticed that Polly likely had multiple reasons to stop eating. He had severe amounts of discharge from his eyes, nose, and mouth. He also had several painful and rotten teeth that required extraction. While working on Polly's teeth, the Doctor discovered a large mass in the back of Polly's mouth. This turned out to be a huge nasopharyngeal polyp that was obstructing his airway and causing most of his difficulty breathing and eating! With the ongoing fundraising efforts of Paws and Heroes Legacy Foundation, the team at Integrative Veterinary Therapies was able to remove this polyp and Polly's bad teeth. We also were able to supply him with vaccinations, flea treatment for his infestation, and a brushing for his unkempt fur. He is now eating pain-free, and with the help of our rehabilitation team Polly is happy and thriving! Lack of pain has brought Polly the courage to open up to humans again, and he hasn't stopped purring since.
Ellie
Ellie came to Integrative Veterinary Therapies through the TNR program, but it was immediately clear something was very wrong. Even inside the trap, it was obvious she was dangerously thin and far too ill to undergo spay surgery. After gentle sedation, the team discovered that what looked like a scab on her face was actually a large open wound. The wound extended so deep that it exposed the bone near her eye socket and had nearly blinded her.
Despite the severity of her condition, she was not beyond hope. The team carefully cleaned and flushed the wound, then sutured it closed to protect her healing tissue. She was also given pain medication, antibiotics, eye drops to save her vision, and a dewormer to restore her strength.
Thanks to this lifesaving care, made possible by the support of Paws and Heroes Legacy Foundation, Ellie was given a second chance. Her eye was saved, her pain was eased, and her recovery began. Today, Ellie has been adopted into a loving household, where she is finally able to enjoy the comfort, safety, and affection every cat deserves.
Gohan
Meet Gohan, a sweet black and white kitten who came to Integrative Veterinary Therapies through the TNR program with a severe physical injury. Despite his pain, this brave little guy greeted everyone with purrs and gentle head bumps, showing us just how strong and loving he really is. It was clear he needed urgent help, and thanks to the care administered by Integrative Veterinary Therapies via the Paws and Heroes Legacy Foundation, Gohan was given the chance to get the surgery he so desperately needed.
Today, Gohan’s story has a beautiful happy ending! After receiving the surgery and plenty of tender care, he has made a full recovery. Now he runs, plays, and climbs with all the energy and joy you’d expect from a healthy, happy kitten. Gohan’s resilience and sweet spirit shine through every day, and he’s ready to share his love with his forever family.
Dug
Dug’s story began in pain. As a tiny puppy, he endured a brutal attack from a household dog, leaving him with skull fractures and severe head trauma. His new family loved him deeply, but the level of medical care he needed was beyond what they were able to provide. In an act of love, not abandonment, they surrendered him to Paws and Heroes so he could have a real chance at survival.
What followed was a fight no puppy should ever have to face. Dug underwent extensive testing, daily medications, and constant monitoring to protect his developing brain. Every day was uncertain, but he never stopped trying — and neither did the people fighting for him.
The little puppy who wasn’t expected to make it is now full of life. Goofy, playful, smart, and endlessly sweet, Dug has become a beloved member of the founders’ family, where he will be cherished forever. Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe how close he came to losing everything. Dug’s transformation from critically injured puppy to thriving, joyful dog is a reminder of what can happen when compassion, commitment, and love come together at exactly the right moment.
Razor
Razor’s story begins in darkness. After being struck by a car, he was left behind by his owners—paralyzed, bleeding, and struggling just to stay alive. When Paws and Heroes found him, he was barely clinging to life. His body told the story of what he’d endured: spinal trauma, a shattered pelvis, a damaged femoral head, severe road rash, tick-borne infections, and total physical shock. Most dogs wouldn’t have survived, but Razor refused to give up.
What followed was a fight fueled by determination on both sides. Razor received every form of treatment available to give him a chance—acupuncture, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, deworming, medication for tick-borne illnesses, wound care, IV fluids, and constant monitoring. Day by day, his body began to respond. His pain eased. His eyes brightened. His spirit returned. The dog who once lay motionless began to move, to play, to try.
The transformation is nothing short of remarkable. Razor now lives with a dedicated Paws and Heroes board member, surrounded by patience, love, and encouragement. He has full use of his front legs and partial use of his hind legs, navigating the world proudly with the support of a wheelchair. The dog who was abandoned to die is now a living symbol of courage—proof that hope, compassion, and resilience can rewrite even the bleakest story.
MP
Most of MP’s early life was marked by suffering. Neglected, starved to the brink of death, and left completely blind, she survived in the only way she could—by eating whatever she found, including her own feces. By the time help finally reached her, her body was shutting down and she was in diabetic ketoacidosis, a crisis that should have ended her story before it ever really began.
But MP wasn’t alone anymore. She was taken in by our nonprofit rescue team and given intensive medical support, constant monitoring, proper nutrition, and patient, gentle care. For the first time in her life, she felt safety instead of fear and comfort instead of hunger. Her recovery was not quick, and it was not easy, but MP fought for every step forward—proving her will to live even when the odds were stacked against her.
When her health stabilized and her personality finally came out from behind years of trauma, something beautiful happened. MP had already chosen her person. One of our founders, who had sat with her through every injection, feeding, complication, and milestone, became her forever home. From that moment on, MP never had to wonder if she would be safe or loved again. Her journey didn’t just change her life—it gave her the family she always deserved.