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Although still adjusting to it, Chance, accompanied by his owner Andrea, visits Shriners Children's Lexington to share his new prosthetic with the patients he sees.
A beloved furry friend at Shriners Children’s Lexington recently made his national television debut and went through a similar journey as many of the patients he comforts.
Chance, a 5-year-old mixed-breed therapy dog with a limb difference of his own, was featured on the season premiere of The Wizard of Paws on BYUtv. The episode highlights the work Chance does at the medical center and follows the extraordinary story of him receiving his very own prosthetic limb.
Now in its seventh season, the streaming show follows the work of prosthetics expert Derrick Campana as he travels across the country to help animals with limited mobility. Through his organization Bionic Pets, Derrick builds custom prostheses for dogs, goats, cows, and horses (and even elephants!) to help them overcome injury, deformity or amputation. But Derrick said it’s not just the loveable critters that are changed forever. The families of the pets also find hope and healing through the process.
“Who would have ever imagined?” owner Andrea White said on the show after Chance tested out his new prosthesis. “I can’t wait to take him (back) to Shriners. He is just going to bring some more love to everybody.”
Since he began visiting the Lexington medical center in 2023, Chance has quickly become a source of comfort and joy for patients, families and staff – especially those seen in the hospital’s prosthetics clinic. His limb difference creates a powerful connection with the kids he visits.
Chance, a therapy dog who visits Shriners Children's Lexington, connects with kids like Arlo because he also has a limb difference.
Chance’s story began when Andrea and Hank White adopted him from the same rescue where they found their other dog, Sadie. “Chance was found in a surrounding county, starving and with a bullet lodged in his left shoulder,” Andrea said.
He was rescued by Camp Jean and taken to a veterinary clinic, where he underwent a complex amputation surgery. “The vet told Camp Jean that it was the most complicated amputation he had ever done,” Andrea said.
Despite early doubts about his recovery, Chance pulled through and joined the Whites six weeks later. “We only met Chance briefly with Sadie before we adopted him,” Andrea said. “But literally on the day we brought him home he knew several commands, was housebroken and started running around our yard with Sadie. He is the least aggressive dog I have ever had. I decided then and there that he would be a great therapy dog.”
Andrea was right. Chance completed training through Love on a Leash, including earning a Good Citizenship Certification and participating in supervised visits at a nursing home and a public library.
In 2023, Chance began visiting Shriners Children’s Lexington twice a month during prosthetics clinics. It was a natural fit. Andrea previously worked as a nurse at Shriners Children’s, while Hank is a physical therapist in the medical center’s motion analysis center.
“He’s calm, relaxed and mellow,” Andrea said. “He doesn’t get flustered or nervous around strangers. He is also very well-behaved. He aims to please.”
More than anything, Chance’s ability to connect with children is what makes him so special.
“The kids just light up when we walk into their exam rooms,” Andrea said. “They get down on the floor with him. Some parents get down on the floor, too. They want to know what happened to Chance. They ask if he still has pain. They want to see and feel his scar. They ask if he has a prosthesis. They show us their missing limb. They tell us about wearing (or not wearing) their prosthesis. If they can remember, they tell us about their surgery. The staff has also welcomed Chance with open arms. He puts a smile on everyone’s face.”
Much like the patients he visits, Chance’s journey is one of resilience.
“It’s like he knows he’s been given a second chance to make a difference in the lives of others,” Andrea said.
Shriners Children’s staff members see the impact firsthand.
“Seeing Chance takes away a lot of anxiety and stress around a lengthy visit to our prosthetics clinic,” said Frazann Milbern, a recreational therapist. “A lot of visits for prosthetics can be over an hour long, so visiting with Chance gives patients and families something to look forward to. The smiles on the patients’ and families’ faces shows it all.”
Emily Yost, whose 6-year-old son Arlo is a prosthetics patient, said the visit had a lasting effect on her family. “Meeting Chance was such an unexpectedly profound experience for our family,” she said. “With Chance, I could tell there was another level of relatability and compassion coming from our son. He had a ton of questions after the visit about what happened to Chance and what we could do to help him further.”
The moment also created an opportunity for deeper understanding.
“We explained to Arlo that just like him, Chance is and will be OK, and can do anything he puts his puppy mind to – just like Arlo does every day,” Emily said. “The visit was a poignant reminder that physical differences should never stop those effected from experiencing joy, and I believe was a great reflection for Arlo to see such resilience coming from an animal he loves so much.”
Now, Chance’s message of strength and healing will reach even more people.
Chance’s episode of The Wizard of Paws can be streamed for free on the BYUtv app or online.
Don’t miss this heartwarming story about resilience, healing, and one incredible therapy dog who’s making a difference every day.
