On a cold, snowy January day in 2017, a young dog was found wandering the streets of Wisconsin Rapids. Believed to be a “Christmas Puppy” — a puppy gifted during the holidays but abandoned shortly after — the dog, Eko, was brought to the Humane Society, searching for his forever family.
That family turned out to be Holly and Toby Soley, who had been looking for a companion for their yellow lab, Huck. When Holly saw Eko’s photo and read his story, she felt an instant connection. After their adoption was approved, Eko joined their home in Rome, Wisconsin, and it was clear he was meant to be part of their family.
“Eko immediately fit right in with our family,” says Holly. “Eko and Huck quickly became best friends, and we spent the next few years doing everything together — hiking, camping, road trips, and boating.”
But Eko’s life changed in March 2022 when Holly noticed his lymph nodes were swollen. Having lost a family dog to lymphoma, she feared the worst. A referral to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care (UWVC) confirmed the diagnosis: multicentric large B-cell lymphoma.
Han-Yun (Hannah) Cheng (Resident, Medical Oncology) was one of Eko’s primary vets. Cheng said that Eko was very special to her, as he was her very first patient at UWVC. The day Cheng first met Eko was the same day he finished his first round of chemotherapy.
“His owners were incredibly dedicated,” says Cheng. “They continued bringing him back for monthly rechecks until his lymphoma relapsed in 2024 after nearly two years of remission.”
Despite the initial success of CHOP chemotherapy, the family was heartbroken when Eko’s cancer returned. Unsure how to proceed, they were overjoyed when Christen Montesanto (Resident, Medical Oncology) introduced the family to the Oncology Client Assistance Fund, providing renewed hope and more precious time together.
“The process to apply was so simple,” says Holly. “We filled out one form as well as some other basic information, and within ten minutes, Dr. Montesanto told us we were approved. There were definitely some happy tears.”
Thanks to this support, Eko began his second round of CHOP in May 2024, completing treatment in September. This time, he tolerated the protocol well, with minimal side effects.
“Eko has handled chemotherapy well overall,” says Cheng. “On average, dogs with multicentric large B-cell lymphoma live about 10 months after diagnosis, even with treatment. We are glad to see Eko enjoying being himself and hope the best for him and the Soley family. It’s very rewarding to us when our patients get more quality time with their family to share more love and happiness.”
Eko remains in remission, living life to the fullest. His story is a testament to resilience, love, and the extraordinary impact of programs like the Oncology Client Assistance Fund. Holly treasures every moment with him.
“Eko isn’t just a dog — he’s family,” says Holly. “The assistance we received is the greatest gift of more time with Eko. We will make sure Eko continues to have as many more adventures, snuggles, lazy days, treats, boat rides, and camping trips as possible. We won’t take this time for granted.”
Sim Khanuja