Familiar Face

It’s too bad George doesn’t fly from his Illinois home to the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital.

If that was a possibility, George would have amassed a lot of frequent flyer miles. And don’t even think about the number of hotel points he could have accumulated over his multiple long-term stays.

For the past three years, George has been a frequent visitor to the Canine Rehabilitation Center in the Hixson-Lied Animal Hospital. Every few months George and his owners, Lorenz and Nina Burkert, make the one-way, five-hour drive from their Illinois home for a10-14 day stay at Iowa State.

George requires his long-term stays after surgery to repair a spinal injury that left him paralyzed from mid back to hind end.

“Nina and I were heartbroken,” Lorenz said. “George was such an active dog. We were determined to make sure George got the best of care, in hopes of recovery.”

The care George receives at the Canine Rehabilitation Center has met the Burkerts’ criteria.

During his Iowa State stay, George is welcomed back with open arms. The Burkerts say their dog is excited to be there and is “excitedly greeted by the receptionists and staff.”

“At Iowa State, George runs the halls in his cart, greeting students, staff, other dogs, and even the construction workers,” Lorenz says. “When we pick him up, we have great excitement to see him again as he does for us.

“The Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital, Dr. (Rod) Bagley and Joanna (Hildbreth) have been godsends for George and us.”

Bagley, professor of veterinary clinical sciences, says not only does George have a motivation to live, but thrives because of the Burkerts unwavering dedication to his care.

“I have never in my 40 years in the profession seen a dog that is this well cared for that has been paralyzed for this long,” Bagley said. “The fact that he looks so good physically and has an engaging attitude is a testament to his owners’ dedication and care.”

George came to the Burkerts home as a rescue puppy. But he wasn’t just any puppy.

When the Burkerts first saw him, George was just nine weeks old and really had a hard time moving due to his front right limb not being developed. The couple adopted the puppy and brought him into their home that also had five other rescue dogs.

“But George never gave up and Nina and I were completely drawn to him,” said Lorenz.

That love is evident Bagley says every time George makes one of his frequent trips to Iowa State.

“George is the epitome of resilience and surviving though adversity,” Bagley said. “His story is an inspirational model of ‘living life’ for us all to follow.

“And the owners deserve the highest praise for their commitment to George. I am so glad he found such a home with people who have provided so much care for him through the years.”

September 2026