Wheels, Willpower, and a Little Bit of Magic

Batty was 90 just hours away from being euthanized—his life hanging by a thread at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control—when Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s founder, Lauree Simmons herself, made a life-changing rescue trip that changed everything. We stepped in to save this little guy and rushed him to safety. Paralyzed in his back legs and struggling to breathe, he was in critical condition. At Big Dog Ranch, we stabilized him and kept him on oxygen while coordinating with surgeons to determine the best course of action.

X-rays revealed the extent of his injuries: his stomach and intestines had shifted into his chest cavity, putting dangerous pressure on his lungs, and both his spine and pelvis were fractured. His first surgery at MedVet Jupiter addressed the internal trauma, followed by spinal surgery at Southeast Veterinary Neurology in Miami with Dr. Wong.

After five days of intensive care, Batty returned to Big Dog Ranch for continued rehabilitation, support, and love from our staff and volunteers. His case was one of the most complex and costly we've seen, totaling nearly $21,000.

With less than a 1% chance of regaining mobility, Batty began physical therapy and was fitted for a wheelchair to help him move and rebuild strength. For weeks, he rolled through our halls with determination—but then, something remarkable happened.

Batty took his first steps without his wheelchair.

Batty’s recovery is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with urgent rescue, expert care, and the support of a community that believes every dog deserves a second chance.

This is Batty on the runway at our Wine, Women, and Shoes dog fashion show event