Taylor adopted Thorn in spring 2020, and he’s loving his new life with her and his four-legged “brother” Duncan. You’re a lucky guy, Thorn.
Congratulations to Taylor on her recent graduation from veterinary school!
Why is Thorn a hero?
Thorn is an unaffected male from a colony of dogs with Batten Disease – a fatal, inherited disorder of the nervous system that affects dogs and young children. Children suffering from Batten disease become blind, bedridden and demented; they typically die in their late teens or early twenties. Thorn’s family and his researchers are studying gene and enzyme therapies for affected dogs, and an enzyme therapy to treat affected children is currently in clinical trials.
