Rescued dog finds support through network of Cougar veterinarians

At WSU, Barretto met with the neurology team, including Dr.

Spokane resident Anjali Barretto will never know what happened to her dog, Sofie, during the first weeks of her life on the streets of Loreto, Mexico, a small town located along the Gulf of California.

What she does know is that when Sofie was rescued at just a month old, she had already survived a traumatic head injury, likely from the hands of a human, that left her blind and caused severe neurological damage.

The injury resulted in ongoing behavioral challenges and difficult-to-control seizures that continue to affect the now 2½-year-old dog.

While the seizures will never be eliminated, they are now being successfully managed thanks to the efforts of Washington State University alumna Dr.

Claudia LaBianca (’23 DVM) at Spokane’s Lincoln Heights Veterinary Clinic and specialists at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, who, together, have helped bring Sofie’s condition under control to ensure she can continue enjoying a happy, active life.

“I can’t say enough good things about WSU and Lincoln Heights,” Barretto said.

“Every single vet, even the vet techs and students, have been phenomenal.

The way they talk to the dogs, the way they handle the dogs – everyone has been wonderful.

I just feel really blessed to have all these people on my side, on Sofie’s side.” When Barretto first saw Sofie’s profile with Rompin Paws Rescue in Arlington, Washington, she knew the young mixed-breed dog would come with challenges, but that wasn’t enough to dissuade her.

“I couldn’t get her out of my mind all day,” Barretto said.

The report adds to ongoing university-led research relevant to veterinary medicine, animal health, and clinical decision-making.

university website: Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine