Bela's Story

Bela

Bela is a six pound deer head chihuahua who identified breast cancer in her guardian, Alexander, in Spring 2023.

Bela first identified the medical diagnosis by continuously smelling, pawing and even jumping on the left side of his chest where the cancer was ultimately discovered. Bela’s persistence, over a period of several weeks, resulted in manual identification of a lump and referral by a general practitioner. Following an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy, Alexander was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and was successfully treated in July 2023. He was blessed with early detection, and quick diagnostic testing, referral and treatment by a skilled surgeon and care team. Of course, he was also blessed with a “medical dog”.