Last year, a family rescued a sick stray dog from the streets of New York. After taking care of him for a few days, they realized he needed more extensive treatment than they could provide, so they brought him to AMA Animal Rescue.
When the dog first arrived at the rescue, he was not doing well. He was covered in a full-body skin infection and completely terrified of humans. His paws were so inflamed by mange that it was difficult for him to even stand.
“[T]he moment we saw [him], we knew he was in rough shape,” Mariya Vlasova, cofounder of AMA Animal Rescue, told The Dodo. “His skin was in terrible condition, his nails were severely overgrown and he was clearly in pain.”
For AMA Animal Rescue, the decision to take the dog in and get him feeling better was a no-brainer. They named him Choco and rushed him to the vet.
Because he needed such intensive medical care, they decided to keep him boarded at the vet until he was strong enough to be transferred to a foster family. The 15/10 Foundation financially supported Choco’s extended stay at the clinic.
Choco was treated with antibiotics and multiple medicated baths every week. Over time, he began to slowly feel better.
“As his skin started to heal and the pain began to lessen, it was like watching a different dog emerge,” Vlasova said. “His paws stopped being inflamed, and he could walk, then run, without pain.”
As Choco’s physical health improved, he grew calmer and happier. He allowed the shelter staff and his medical team to get to know him more and more, and everyone fell in love with his personality.
“With the people he saw regularly and felt safe with, he slowly started to open up,” Vlasova said. “He let them handle him, and we saw the first signs of trust replacing fear. Watching that transformation was truly beautiful.”
When it came time for Choco to be transferred to a foster home, one of the clinic’s vet techs volunteered. She’d known Choco from the very first day he was brought to the rescue and they’d formed a special bond. She wanted to see his transformation through.
Choco ended up thriving in his foster environment. He quickly became part of the family and made friends with his foster mom’s other dog. When his foster would come to work at the clinic, she’d bring Choco along, where he’d “[walk] the halls like he was part of the team.”
“Eventually, it became clear: This wasn’t just a foster placement. It was home,” Vlasova said.
Choco got his happily ever after with someone who helped him along every step of his healing journey. Now, Choco is unrecognizable in every way from the dog who was dropped off at the rescue. He’s playful, goofy and loyal, and most importantly, he knows he’s loved.
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