When a veterinarian gently suggested euthanasia for her paralysed rescue dog, Helena Hema Ann felt her heart sink. But one look into the dog’s hopeful eyes convinced her otherwise. Today, that same dog—named Champion, or Champy—is living a joyful, active life on two legs, defying all expectations.
Helena, a 37-year-old senior medical lab technologist, had taken Champy to multiple vets searching for answers. One clinic told her the dog would never have a good quality of life. But Helena saw determination, joy, and an undeniable will to live in Champy.
Rescued from a car park in 2020, Champy had severely injured hind legs and dragged her lower body. With the guidance of her “fairy godmother” veterinarian, Dr. Teoh Kah Ying, Champy underwent surgery to amputate both hind legs—not as a loss, but “a path to freedom,” Helena explained.
Now five years old, Champy is an energetic, affectionate, and resilient dog who navigates life on two legs, radiating happiness and spirit.
Caring for Champy is demanding—Helena manages all her needs, including feeding, cleaning, and manually helping with her waste. The deep caregiving has forged a maternal bond.
“It feels like I’m her mother. She’s truly my baby,” Helena shared, adding that she even moved her own sleeping space to be beside Champy.
Supported by her family, Helena finds strength and inspiration in Champy’s unwavering spirit. “She shows us that disability doesn’t stop you from achieving the impossible.”
