Day 4: Courage & Comfort

Some heroes wear collars, not capes.

When ten-year-old Arie arrives at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, she carries a strength far beyond her years. In her ongoing fight against Ewing’s Sarcoma, Arie has learned what courage looks like on even the hardest days. But she has never walked that path alone.

From the very beginning of her treatment, Paws & Think therapy dogs became a bright, grounding presence amid the uncertainty. Hospital visits were often scary but as her dad, Dustin, shared, there was always one thing that made those moments a little easier: wondering which therapy dog she might get to see that day.

That small spark of joy turned into a cherished tradition. Arie and her dad created homemade BINGO cards with the names of the therapy dogs, checking off each one as they met them. Each visit brought something she needed — a soft head to pet, a warm body to lean against, or a friendly face to bring a smile when the days were long.

But the support didn’t stop at the hospital doors.

When Arie was ready to return to school after months of treatment, the transition felt daunting. To help ease that moment, a Paws & Think therapy dog accompanied the Child Life team to her classroom. Together, they helped her classmates understand her journey and made her return to school feel safer, gentler, and filled with compassion.

This fall, Arie bravely shared her experience on stage at our Tails of Celebration fundraiser. Her words reminded everyone in the room why therapy dogs matter so deeply, especially for children facing medical challenges no child should have to endure.

This Giving Season, Club Canine is honoring Arie by matching all donations made today up to $500.

Your gift ensures more kids like Arie have a therapy dog by their side during hospital stays, treatments, school transitions, and every moment in between.

Because no child should face their hardest days without a friend and every act of compassion helps bring more tails of joy to life.