Hello, I am a member of the Ace Project at Iowa State University. This project is a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about dog training, while training shelter dogs through our foster program. This fundraiser is for one of our very special foster dogs, Steeler. Steeler came to our program as a foster dog in the Fall of 2023. He had some behavioral issues that our student program helped him work through, and he quickly became everyone’s favorite puppy. Shortly after arriving, he exhibited some lameness in a back leg. Our partner vet diagnosed him with an effusion in his stifle joint that means he had excess fluid in his joints. This not only caused pain, but also instability in the joint that would likely cause further damage. This diagnosis complicated his future adoption options; however, students didn’t like that answer. He was adopted by one of the Ace Project students, dedicated to helping him get better. Unfortunately, the instability resulted in more severe damage and orthopedic surgery is required to get him out of pain and fix his genetic condition. His other leg is perfectly fine. This surgery is very expensive and is going to cost his student adopter about $4,000 plus the aftercare but the prognosis is GREAT. We are fundraising to help Steeler! Steeler is a special dog that captures hearts, makes people smile, and is the poster-child for why the Ace Project exists. Thank you for considering helping us not only getting Steeler out of pain, but fixing him so he can live the rest of his life running with his friends and living life to the fullest!