By Soraya Garza, DVM Class of 2029.

Blitz is my 11.5-year-old Pomsky and my soul dog. He has been by my side through nearly every major milestone in my life, including my journey to the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

In Fall 2025, during my first semester as a vet student, I enrolled Blitz and his two sisters in a healthy pet research study through the MSU Veterinary Medical Center. Blitz seemed completely healthy at home; I never would have guessed anything was wrong. As part of the study, an abnormality was discovered on his lab work that led to additional diagnostics. An abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, and consultation with the Soft Tissue Surgery team ultimately revealed a liver tumor. Had we not participated in that study, we likely wouldn’t have discovered his cancer until much later, when treatment may not have been as successful.

In January 2026, Blitz underwent surgery to remove the mass, which was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor was completely removed with clean margins. His recovery wasn’t without challenges, and he later required a second surgery for a postoperative infection. Throughout it all, the dedication, expertise, and compassion of the veterinary team carried us through every step of his journey.

Today, Blitz is cancer-free and continues to enjoy life. As he’s gotten older, he’s started slowing down from arthritis, so we recently began physical therapy at MSU. Seeing how much he enjoyed his very first PT session reminded me that every stage of a patient’s life deserves thoughtful, compassionate care.

Experiencing veterinary medicine from both sides, as both a CVM student and the owner of a patient, has been incredible. Blitz’s journey has shown me the impact of collaboration between the students, veterinarians, and techs/nurses. It has strengthened my passion for veterinary medicine and deepened my appreciation for the people who dedicate their lives to caring for animals. I will always be grateful to the VMC to the MSU Veterinary Medical Center for giving me more time with the dog who means the world to me.