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Paralyzed Dog Not A Candidate For Surgery, But Will Receive Physical Therapy

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A special patient has been admitted to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Specialty Emergency Center.

Just last Thursday at the Animal Rescue League, we introduced the beagle mix found on the side of a road in Penn Hills.

The sensitive dog with paralyzed back legs touched viewers' hearts. The public has donated more than $10,000 for her care.

"She's such a sweet dog," says Cara Ciancio of the ARL. "She deserves that kind of love and attention to be able to be mobile again. All she wants to do is give love, so that would be wonderful."

Emergency Center doctor Ed MacKillop conducted tests on the dog that Rescue League staffers call "Gracie."

"If she had no sensation today, I wouldn't recommend doing a thing, because the damage had happened," Dr. MacKillop says. "The fact that she had some response is actually encouraging."

An MRI and spinal tap, later in the day, reveal that Gracie's condition cannot be corrected by surgery. But Tuesday, she will begin receiving physical therapy, in the hope she can regain some of the abilities she has lost.

"She doesn't make excuses," Ciancio says. "She just keeps going forward, and keeps giving love, and I think that's a wonderful thing."

She says Gracie and others will benefit from the generosity of those who care.

"Not only will we be able to help Gracie with the money raised, but we'll be able to help any other animals that come into us that have similar issues such as this," Ciancio said.

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