Texas Children’s patients were recently treated to a friendly visit from a guest therapy dog named Toby. During his stay, the 160-pound white and brown fur ball let patients pet, pat and hug his thick neck. His presence garnered smiles and a lot of wows.
The St. Bernard’s owners, Stanley D. Stearns, Jr. and Judith Stearns, stopped by Texas Children’s Hospital on December 14 to share Toby with the children and to deliver the first installment of a half-a- million-dollar donation to the Cancer Center.
The Stearns family made the donation in support of the hospital’s Osteosarcoma Research Program. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer that often times is deadly in children and adults. Texas Children’s is performing cutting edge research on osteosarcoma and has made significant inroads into better understanding the biology of this devastating disease.
“We are thrilled that Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have decided to work with us and donate to this critically important cause,” said Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children’s Cancer Center. “This will greatly help in our quest to perform cutting edge research for this disease.”
Toby and the Stearns live in Houston, Texas and Gig Harbor, Washington and began their interest in osteosarcoma when their last St. Bernard, Gabriel, passed away from canine osteosarcoma. To learn more about Toby and what services he provides, visit his Facebook page.
