Luna is a courageous German Shepherd whose incredible recovery from a life-threatening accident will melt your heart. After a devastating car crash involving a tractor-trailer, Luna sustained severe head trauma, including a depressed skull fracture. Her family feared the worst—until specialized care at
Pet Specialists of Austin, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, changed everything.
READ: Luna's inspirational story in Parade Pets (November 22, 2024). Thanks to the expertise of veterinary neurologist Dr. Dottie Hagler at Pet Specialists of Austin, Luna underwent a complex, four-hour brain surgery to relieve pressure on her brain and repair her fractured skull on Tuesday, November 12, that saved her life. By Thursday, Luna was thriving and returned home to her family. Dr. Hagler was the only veterinary neurologist in the area capable of performing the highly specialized brain surgery needed to save Luna’s life.
"Luna is a miracle. Her story highlights how truly amazing and resilient dogs are. In cases like Luna’s, it’s truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to be part of a community of veterinary specialists in Austin who work together for the best outcomes. Seeing Luna up and about, happy and wagging her tail, is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do."
Dottie Hagler, DVM, Board Certified Veterinary Neurologist at Pet Specialists of Austin
Luna’s journey of resilience and recovery is a testament to the power of advanced veterinary care and the unbreakable bond between pets and their families.
"We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Hagler and her team at Austin Pet Specialists, as well as all the incredible veterinarians and their technicians who helped Luna on her way to being her happy, goofy self again. It cannot be stressed enough the importance of securing your dog (or any pet) while in a vehicle via a safety belt or a kennel due to unforeseen circumstances that can arise."
Gabrielle Garza & Angela Ribar (Luna's family)
Cases like Luna’s highlight the importance of having access to specialized veterinary care. Pet Specialists of Austin is fortunate to have the technology and the training to respond to such emergencies and give pets like Luna a second chance.
We are so grateful to Luna’s family for entrusting us with her care. And we’re especially thankful that her owner, a neurology nurse herself, came through this accident safely.
