Pets rely on us humans to protect them not only from the parasites themselves, but also from the diseases they can transmit.

It’s no secret that companion animals can be unpredictable. From accidental injuries and unplanned toxicities to sudden illnesses, sometimes it seems like we spend more time focusing on—and paying for—the healthcare of our pets than we do for ourselves, not to mention, the worry we often experience associated with our pets and their health.

In March, we met Stella, the canine victim of a house fire. Since the fire occurred in February, she has been treated at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center for several injuries; the most severe—partial- and full-thickness burn wounds that covered 10 percent of her body surface area—was healed in a way no other animal burn wound has been healed before.

Dr. Rebecca Smedley, pathologist and biopsy service coordinator at the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, is putting on her dancing shoes for charity.