星空无限传媒

Nearly 10 years ago, disabled veteran DeAnna Charett adopted Emmy from Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge, La. The terrier鈥揕abrador mix stood out among the many dogs in the crowded shelter, and DeAnna was immediately drawn to her loving personality. At the time, she couldn鈥檛 have known just how vital Emmy would become in her life.

Over the years, Emmy grew into far more than a pet. She became DeAnna鈥檚 constant companion and a powerful source of emotional support, helping her navigate PTSD and other health challenges.

鈥淪he鈥檚 gentle, loyal, and brings comfort to everyone she meets,鈥� DeAnna said.

In October 2023, DeAnna sensed something was wrong. When she arrived home one day, Emmy didn鈥檛 rush to the door as usual.

鈥淪he wouldn鈥檛 get up, wouldn鈥檛 eat, and didn鈥檛 want to go outside. I knew something was seriously wrong,鈥� DeAnna said. 鈥淚 immediately brought her to the ER 星空无限传媒鈥檚 Small Animal Hospital, where I had previously brought my other dogs and had an established relationship with LSU's Community Practice.鈥�

At LSU Vet Med, Emmy was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, a common and aggressive cancer of white blood cells that often causes enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, weight loss, and loss of appetite. While serious and not curable, the disease is typically responsive to chemotherapy. Emmy was referred to LSU Vet Med鈥檚 Oncology Service for treatment.

The diagnosis was devastating鈥攁nd overwhelming.

鈥淭he cancer diagnosis was scary. I didn鈥檛 know if I could afford the treatment and thought I might even have to sell my house,鈥� DeAnna said. 鈥淎s a 100% disabled veteran on a fixed income, I鈥檝e stretched every dollar to afford Emmy鈥檚 care.鈥�

Relief came when DeAnna learned she had been awarded a Petco Love鈥揃lue Buffalo grant, which covered nearly half the cost of Emmy鈥檚 first round of chemotherapy.

LSU Vet Med鈥檚 Oncology Service began treatment almost immediately. Emmy responded well, fighting hard and entering remission in May 2024.

鈥淪he became a puppy again, running and playing,鈥� DeAnna said. 鈥淗aving her healthy again meant I could keep my service dog, emotional support, and best friend by my side鈥攕he has been truly essential to my daily well-being.鈥�

In January 2025, the cancer returned. Emmy underwent a second round of chemotherapy 星空无限传媒 from January through July 2025 to treat relapsed B-cell lymphoma.

鈥淭he prognosis for B-cell lymphoma patients is around one year with chemotherapy,鈥� said Dr. Brittney Hodgkiss, oncology resident. 鈥淓mmy started this journey in 2023 and has now been in remission since August 2025. She is doing great. She doesn鈥檛 know she has cancer. Her demeanor is as happy as it was before the cancer.鈥�

For DeAnna, the extra time has meant everything.

鈥淚 have already gotten two more years with her that I wouldn鈥檛 have had,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 put a price tag on the services you get 星空无限传媒. I refuse to give up on her because she never gave up on me. I鈥檓 so grateful for the excellent care both Emmy and I have received 星空无限传媒. It was worth it, knowing we鈥檙e giving her that chance at life.鈥�

In January 2026, Emmy returned to LSU Vet Med for a visit. As soon as she saw Dr. Hodgkiss鈥攚ho had cared for her through both rounds of chemotherapy since 2023鈥擡mmy ran toward her, tail wagging.

Dr. Hodgkiss鈥� face lit up.

鈥淢oments like these鈥攕eeing her again鈥攎akes all we do as an oncology team worth it,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e get to give hope to others.鈥�

LSU Vet Med鈥檚 Cancer Treatment Unit was formed in 1998 to aid in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of veterinary patients with cancer in Louisiana and the surrounding areas. The facility offers state of the art care consisting of two major service units鈥攎edical oncology (chemotherapy) and radiation oncology. Each of these units is designed to diagnose and treat veterinary cancer patients with the most advanced and cutting-edge technology available, including the only radiation unit in Louisiana. The Oncology Service works from a team approach, so a patient requiring chemotherapy and radiation therapy has the benefit of being evaluated by specialists in each of these fields, who then design a treatment protocol tailored to their individual needs. 

Petco Love and Blue Buffalo have invested $21 million to date in the fight against pet cancer, helping to fund provide lifesaving treatment for pets and groundbreaking research.