A tale of unwavering love: Cynthia and Lady Bug's journey through adversity

The heartwarming story of Cynthia and her beloved four-legged companion Lady Bug stands out as a beacon of unconditional love and resilience. Lady Bug isn’t just a pet; she is the anchor of emotional support in Cynthia’s life, guiding her through the storms of adversity.

For the past several years, Lady Bug, a 4.5-year-old Staffordshire mix, has played a pivotal role in Cynthia’s life, serving as her emotional support animal. Cynthia found solace and strength in the unwavering companionship of Lady Bug. Despite encountering financial hardships, Cynthia has gone above and beyond to provide for her beloved canine companion.

Cynthia’s journey has been far from easy. Faced with financial difficulties, she found herself in the challenging position of balancing Lady Bug’s veterinary care with her own medical bills. In the last six months alone, Cynthia had to make the difficult decision to remove two concerning masses from Lady Bug, a decision that plunged her into significant debt.

Now, the duo faces a more pressing challenge. Lady Bug has been diagnosed with a mast cell tumor, requiring urgent medical attention. The looming prospect of surgery adds to Cynthia’s financial burden, forcing her to confront a difficult decision that no pet owner should have to make – choosing between the health of a beloved companion and financial stability.

Dr. Britta Lay was able to take advantage of her American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) membership to help provide some relief through the AVMF REACH Program. She emphasized the depth of the bond between Cynthia and Lady Bug. “I have become very close with this client and her dog over the last year, and I honestly feel there is no one more deserving of this financial gift than Cynthia and Lady Bug,” states Dr. Lay of Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic.

In the face of financial adversity, Dr. Lay’s determination to provide the best care for Lady Bug speaks volumes about the power of compassion. Through empathy and support, we can ensure that stories like these unfold with a happy ending, allowing pet owners and their beloved pets to continue their journey together, hand in paw.


The AVMF REACH program exists to help veterinarians provide the best care for all animals, at any time and in any town. We can’t do it without the generous gifts from those who want the best for all animals, regardless of their owner’s financial means. If you’d like to support this program with a tax-deductible gift, select “REACH Animal Care Program” from the “I want to support” dropdown menu on the gift form.

Thank you for helping us REACH as many animals in need as possible!

This program is supported in part by PURINA through the ProPlan Veterinary Support Mission.