Update: Thank you so much to everyone who helped by sharing and donating ❤️ We are very lucky to have the support we do. As of last week, Luca is officially healed We are so thankful that we have more time to spend with our sweet boy.

Luca isn’t just a dog. He’s a best friend, a safe place, and a source of healing for children and adults who have survived unthinkable trauma.

Luca is a 4-year-old Bernedoodle therapy dog who works every day with people recovering from abuse, neglect, and other complex trauma. With his calm presence and intuitive heart, he has helped countless individuals feel safe again. He is a light in the darkest places.

But now, Luca needs our help.

On May 26, 2025, his owners, Bry and Natalie, noticed something was off. Luca—normally glued to their side—refused to come inside, laid in the yard panting, and even raised his lip in pain (something he has never done before). Trusting their instincts, they rushed him to the emergency vet.

They saved his life.

Luca was diagnosed with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)—a sudden, deadly condition where the stomach flips and blood flow is cut off. Emergency surgery was the only option. The procedure to untwist and then tack his stomach to his abdominal wall was successful, but incredibly expensive—over $6,000 and rising.

He’s not out of the woods yet.

Luca must remain under constant medical supervision for the next 48 hours, moving between the day vet and emergency night care—accruing bills at both facilities. Without this continued care, the risk of complications or death is dangerously high.

Bry and Natalie are doing everything in their power to keep him safe, but they can’t do this alone.

We’re asking for your help.

To know Luca is to love him—and the thought of losing him is unbearable not just for Bry and Natalie, but for the many adults and children who rely on his presence to feel peace, hope, and trust in the world again.

Every dollar helps. Every share makes a difference.

This isn’t just about saving a beloved pet. It’s about protecting a lifeline—for trauma survivors, for those struggling, and for two people who have dedicated their lives to healing others, with Luca by their side.

Thank you for helping Luca live to continue doing what he was born to do—change lives.