05/28/2026
Some dogs come into our lives at exactly the right moment. For Hannah, that dog was Reba, our Patient of the Month for May. ❤️
After enduring five open-heart surgeries as a child, Hannah was introduced to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through the organization, a generous sponsor helped send Hannah and her family on a dream trip to Paris. Even after her health improved, Hannah remained deeply involved with the foundation, volunteering and co-MCing charitable events for several years.
During one of those events, a litter of Bernedoodle puppies was being auctioned to raise funds. In the middle of the evening, Hannah’s sponsor made a surprise announcement: “Let’s get a dog for Hannah.”
Within moments, bids began pouring in, and to Hannah’s complete surprise, she was gifted a puppy who would soon change her life forever — Reba.
Although the family had never had an indoor dog before, it didn’t take long for Reba to become part of the family. Hannah’s medical journey left her with lasting anxiety and emotional trauma, and somehow, Reba instinctively understood exactly what she needed. She stayed constantly by Hannah’s side, lying beside her, and often directly on top of her, to provide comfort and emotional support during difficult moments.
Over time, Reba became more than a companion. She became a certified therapy dog and stayed with Hannah throughout college, even living in the dorms with her. Today, Hannah is married and thriving as a high school English teacher, with Reba still faithfully by her side every step of the way.
When Reba recently began intermittently limping and developed a painful mass on her right hind toe, her family sought answers. Reba presented to our surgery team at Overland Park Veterinary Emergency and Specialty after weeks of discomfort and treatment attempts. Advanced diagnostics, including radiographs and cytology, revealed concern for a tumor affecting the digit and underlying bone.
Reba was cared for by our collaborative team that included board-certified surgeon Dr. David A. Allen, surgery residents Dr. Brandon Pate and Dr. Jackson Balcom, ER veterinarian Dr. Madison Jacobs, and board-certified anesthesiologist Dr. Kathryn Ryan. On April 20, Reba underwent a right hind second digit amputation to remove the mass.
Histopathology later confirmed the diagnosis as subungual squamous cell carcinoma, the most common malignant tumor affecting the digits in dogs. Fortunately, the tumor was completely excised, and Reba recovered beautifully following surgery.
At her two-week recheck appointment, Reba’s incision was healing well, and she was doing great at home.
Sometimes, pets become so much more than pets. They become protectors, emotional lifelines, and family in every sense of the word. It was truly an honor for our team to care for Reba, a dog who has spent her entire life caring for someone else.
Thank you to Reba's loving family for entrusting us with her care and for sharing her and Hannah's incredible story with us.❤
