Omaha Puppy Makes Remarkable Recovery

Hank, a young pup who suffered a spinal injury, is now thriving thanks to dedicated foster care and rehabilitation.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:52pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a puppy playing with toys, composed entirely of soft, warm pools of light and color in a cozy indoor setting, conveying a sense of resilience and care.A foster puppy's remarkable recovery journey is captured in a dreamlike, intimate portrait.Omaha Today

Hank, a puppy in Omaha, Nebraska, was accidentally dropped by a child and suffered a compression fracture in his back. He was surrendered by his family to receive specialized care. Hank was placed in the foster care of Chris Lionberger, who worked with him on physical therapy exercises and helped him regain strength and mobility. After months of rehabilitation, including time on an underwater treadmill, Hank is now running, playing, and handling his own potty breaks. Lionberger is adopting Hank, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of animal foster care and the remarkable resilience of pets who receive the proper medical attention and rehabilitation. It also underscores the need for more foster families to step up and care for animals in need.

The details

When Hank was just weeks old, he was accidentally dropped by a child, causing a compression fracture in his mid-back. This led to swelling, bruising, and neurological deficits that left him unable to use his back legs. Hank's family, knowing he needed specialized care, surrendered him. In late January, Hank was placed in the foster care of Chris Lionberger, an experienced foster parent who had recently lost several of her own dogs. Lionberger worked closely with Hank, putting him through physical therapy exercises, including time on an underwater treadmill to improve his strength and balance. After months of dedicated care and rehabilitation, the now 20-week-old Hank is running, playing, and handling his own potty breaks. Lionberger is adopting Hank, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

  • In late January, Hank was placed in the foster care of Chris Lionberger.
  • At just weeks old, Hank was accidentally dropped by a child in Omaha, Nebraska.

The players

Hank

A puppy in Omaha, Nebraska who suffered a spinal injury after being accidentally dropped by a child, but has made a remarkable recovery through dedicated foster care and rehabilitation.

Chris Lionberger

An experienced animal foster parent in Omaha who took Hank into her care and worked closely with him on physical therapy exercises to help him regain strength and mobility.

Rise Animal Wellness & Rehabilitation

An Omaha-based facility that provided specialized rehabilitation services for Hank, including time on an underwater treadmill to improve his strength and balance.

Muddy Paws Rescue

An animal rescue organization in Omaha that is seeking more foster candidates to care for animals in need.

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What they’re saying

“He was just dragging his back legs, still happy trying to play, you know playing with the toys.”

— Chris Lionberger, Hank's foster parent

“Give me so much time and see what we can do we just got to make sure they have a good quality of life.”

— Chris Lionberger, Hank's foster parent

What’s next

Muddy Paws Rescue is seeking more foster candidates to care for animals in need, like Hank, in the Omaha area.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story of Hank's remarkable recovery highlights the power of dedicated foster care and the resilience of pets who receive the proper medical attention and rehabilitation. It serves as an inspiring example of the difference that compassionate individuals can make in the lives of animals in need.