‘He’s amazing’: 3-legged rescue works toward becoming therapy dog

WACO, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) – A three-legged dog rescued in 2024 is working toward therapy dog certification after surviving severe injuries from a car accident.

Leo is a Great Pyrenees who, his owner, Robyn Howard, said was hit by a car.

“Was drug down the road probably for a pretty good distance, and then left on the side of the road for three days,” she said.

When animal control found Leo, they took him straight to a veterinarian.

“He had a broken leg, he had a wound on his neck that a human hand could fit inside, he had a wound on his back leg, and he had a whole body infection,” Howard said.

Despite the severity of his condition, Leo survived the infection and recovered after his front leg had to be amputated.

“I didn’t think he could survive the infection but … man, he did,” Howard said.

Leo ended up staying with the Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue for over a year. He was eventually adopted before being brought back to the rescue. That was when Howard took him in.

“He was with me for probably 10 to 14 days in the transition, and by that time he was my dog,” she said.

Leo joined Howard’s three other dogs, one of which is a certified therapy dog. Howard said she quickly realized that Leo would make an amazing therapy dog as well.

“I recognized in him some of those same qualities. He likes all people, he’s calm, and very gentle,” Howard said.

Leo is now taking classes to become a therapy dog. He completed his first class this month and was also fitted for a wheelchair to improve his mobility.

“He gets around, but he falls a lot, and he is slow; he needs to be more mobile,” Howard said.

Howard said she expects Leo to be certified as a therapy dog in late spring or summer. She plans to work with him at children’s hospitals to inspire disabled children.

“He has been through a lot ... and made it. He’s amazing,” Howard said.

If you are interested in helping cover the cost of Leo’s wheelchair and future therapy certification classes, a link to his GoFundMe can be found here.