When Sophie was born, the German Shepherd’s rear legs were not functioning. It seemed highly unlikely she would ever be able to walk. Flight attendants volunteered to transport the immobile puppy from New Jersey to the Healing HEART Sanctuary (HHS) in Utah, which rehabilitates disabled or injured domestic and farm animals.

Laura Bradshaw, a founder and the executive director of HHS, treated Sophie using a combination of traditional and alternative therapies. Soon Sophie’s back legs began to move. Bewildered veterinarians who examined the puppy’s x-rays could not understand how Sophie could possibly walk, since her hips were not in their sockets. Bradshaw told them, “But she does, look.”

As Sophie grew, so did her mobility. Now an adult, Sophie can hike up to 10 miles at a time. She was adopted by the flight attendants who brought her to HHS, and is leading a happy and active life.

Sophie’s success story is just one of hundreds at HHS, which was founded in 2003. During the aftermaths of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, HHS worked with the Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) to reunite nearly 1,000 pets with their families across the country. (more…)