Companion dogs are very expensive, so it took a year and a half before the family could begin the process of matching Lydia with a compatible dog. Lydia was matched with Doppler and a relationship began to blossom.

Lydia, now 9, dreamed of taking a walk with Doppler, her best friend and constant companion. The family had been told that Lydia probably would never walk, but they refused to accept that diagnosis. They learned of Lexington Shriners Hospital and came for physical therapy.

Physical therapist Emily Valentino worked closely with Lydia, guiding her through leg exercises to strengthen muscles, stretching her legs so she could stand straighter and walk with the aid of forearm crutches. Doppler was part of the therapy process and stood beside Lydia, picking up her crutches when she dropped them.

�Seeing my daughter go from not walking at all to walking with the crutch and with Doppler took my breath away,� said Sara. �We are so grateful that Shriners Hospital gave Lydia a chance to realize her dream of walking.�

�Lydia believed me when I told her she could do something,� said Valentino. �She did her exercises very diligently and was highly motivated by the possibility that she would be able to walk with Doppler. She believed me, but she also believed in herself.�