I wish to have a puppy
Vaughn
6
leukemia
Vaughn's Wish to have a Puppy
He was immediately placed on an aggressive experimental treatment protocol and had to spend over 150 nights in the hospital. Over the course of two and a half years of chemotherapy, Vaughn endured extreme side effects of the chemo, including life-threatening infections that nearly took his life multiple times. In addition to the chemo, Vaughn has also patiently endured endless hours of physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture and infant stimulation therapy.
Vaughn thankfully finished his last chemo treatment in November 2018, and he remains in remission from his cancer today at the age of six. Although he still has some catching up to do to fully reach his peer level, he is finally living the life of a normal child, including starting kindergarten this fall. As his mom and dad say, “Vaughn is a true warrior in body and a beacon of light in spirit. His healing success is truly a miracle.”
When Make-A-Wish was working on Vaughn’s wish, the pandemic and quarantining were underway so it was important he get something that would bring him joy at home. He wished for a puppy because he was reminded of the therapy dogs who cheered him up at the hospital. Vaughn chose an adorable, miniature Aussiedoodle with the help of our friends at PuppySpot. Vaughn is a huge fan of Paw Patrol, which features many cartoon dogs, one named Rocky. So, of course, he named his new best friend Rocky!
Earlier this year, Make-A-Wish surprised Vaughn in his backyard with a socially-distanced puppy party. Vaughn and his big brother Quinn got to meet little Rocky for the first time and welcome him into the family. Vaughn also got a ton of doggy-related gifts including a dog bed, crate, training pads, toys and much more to help with Rocky’s first year.
Dack and Emily, Vaughn’s parents, said, “we were so happy to see Vaughn get his wish, which coincided roughly five years after his diagnosis. Make-A-Wish really spends the time getting to know the child and the family and figuring out what wish would be ideal. They are so determined to nail down every detail to create a lifelong memory. We can’t overemphasize the life-changing impact they have made to our family and countless others.”
Dack and Emily let us know a couple of months after their wish day that Rocky is fitting in so well with the family. Vaughn and Quinn absolutely adore him, love cuddling with him, playing with him in the yard and taking him to the beach. Since Quinn also endured so much trauma due to his brother’s health battle, the wish puppy is a wonderful addition for him too. Dack and Emily said, “Ultimately, it’s just a lot of love, joy and companionship, which was certainly needed after a year and a half of Covid.”
