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SoCal girl with crippling spinal injury draws inspiration from a therapy dog with the same injury
By Denise Dador at ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC)
· June 20, 2026
· 1 min read
A 9-year-old Ventura County girl is working to walk again after a life-threatening spinal fracture, drawing strength from her family and an unlikely source of inspiration, a therapy dog that survived a similar injury.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The story of this 9-year-old Ventura County girl resonates deeply in the Los Angeles community, where access to specialized rehabilitation services can be a significant factor in recovery from severe injuries. The presence of a therapy dog with a similar spinal injury offers a unique perspective on resilience and adaptability, qualities that are highly valued in the region. As the girl works to regain her mobility, her journey may intersect with local organizations and healthcare providers that specialize in spinal cord rehabilitation, highlighting the importance of these resources in the Greater Los Angeles area. The connection between this young girl and her canine inspiration also underscores the role that animal-assisted therapy can play in the recovery process, a topic of growing interest among local healthcare professionals and patients alike.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A 9-year-old Ventura County girl is working to walk again after a life-threatening spinal fracture, drawing strength from her family and an unlikely source of inspiration, a therapy dog that survived a similar injury.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Denise Dador at ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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