Leo, a three‑legged Great Pyrenees rescued in Waco, Texas, after being hit by a car in 2024, is recovering and training to become a certified therapy dog. Some estimates suggest there are roughly 50,000 therapy dogs working in the United States, and industry sources indicate this number has been growing in recent years. These dogs typically serve to provide comfort in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other community settings.

His recovery has been marked by severe injuries, long treatment, and a slow transition into a permanent home, and his handler says the dog’s calm temperament makes him a strong candidate for visits to hospitals and other care settings. Leo completed his first class this month and is expected to earn therapy dog certification in late spring or summer.

Rescuers returned Leo to care after the crash, and Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue assisted in his treatment before he moved in with his adopter. “Was drug down the road probably for a pretty good distance and then left on the side of the road for three days,” Robyn Howard, Leo’s owner, said of the animal’s condition when he was found.

Howard described the extent of the wounds: “He had a broken leg, he had a wound on his neck that a human hand could fit inside, he had a wound on his back leg, and he had a whole body infection.” This combination of trauma and infection shaped Leo’s early care and long recovery, highlighting the many challenges three-legged dogs often face, such as adapting their gait and building strength in their remaining limbs.

Howard said the dog spent a brief transition period under her care before becoming hers permanently. “He was with me for probably 10 to 14 days in the transition, and by that time he was my dog,” she said. During this time, she also recognized the need for therapy and massage techniques to prevent muscle atrophy and manage Leo’s pain as he adapted.

In training now, Leo is building the behaviors therapy programs require. Howard emphasized his temperament as the reason she pursued therapy work for him: “I recognized in him some of those same qualities. He likes all people, he’s calm, and very gentle.” Such qualities are essential for therapy dogs, whose presence can greatly reduce stress and support emotional healing in those they visit.

Howard also spoke plainly about Leo’s mobility limits. “He gets around, but he falls a lot, and he is slow; he needs to be more mobile,” she said, noting the ongoing work to strengthen his balance and confidence as a three‑legged dog. Three-legged dogs often require tailored conditioning to build strength and avoid overuse injuries, a process supported by local trainers and rescuers, including the Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue, who have been guiding Leo’s next steps.

Those resilience and temperament traits are what Howard hopes will matter most when Leo begins visiting children in clinical settings. The adopter expects him to be an inspiration for disabled children at children’s hospitals, reflecting the emotional arc from stray and injured animal to companion and potential therapy animal. Individuals looking to support organizations like Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue can help by adopting, donating, or volunteering, which expands the organization’s capacity to save more animals.

Veterinary and rehabilitation resources note that tripod dogs may thrive not only due to their physical strength but also through the emotional connections they forge with others. The adopter celebrated his progress: “He has been through a lot … and made it. He’s amazing,” she said.

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