Scruffy, an 11-year-old male Australian shepherd mix, brings joy each day to owners Elizabeth Wright and Steve Harding, who rescued him as a puppy. They adore Scruffy and consider him a cherished family member and their best friend.

Late 2021, they became concerned when Scruffy began having nosebleeds and brought him to see his primary veterinarian, who removed a foxtail from his right nostril and discovered a mass in his left nostril. Further tests determined that the nasal mass needed treatment.

Wright and Harding were thrilled to learn that that the Oncology Service at the UC Davis veterinary hospital offered radiation therapy treatment for this type of cancer. After reading success stories on the school’s website, they decided to bring Scruffy here.

Scruffy’s family qualified for financial assistance through a generous grant from the Blue Buffalo Foundation’s support of the Petco Love Foundation pet cancer treatment program at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. The grant helps support treatments for companion animals suffering from cancer. The project is designed to support pet parents with limited resources or pet parents whose pets provide a service to others.

It's been more than a year now, and Scruffy is going strong. He enjoys doing his favorite things again, including going on walks, jumping and doing tricks.

“We are very thankful for the excellent care that the kind and professional team at the UC Davis veterinary hospital provided for our beloved Scruffy,” Wright said. “Also, words cannot express how grateful we are to the Blue Buffalo and the Petco Love Foundations for their support.”

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