Injured Stray Dog Who Walked Kids to School for Years Finds a Forever Home

A stray dog who spent seven years walking children to and from school in San Antonio, Tex. has just found her forever home after being injured by a pick-up truck in late January. Debbie, a much-loved black labrador mix, has been a frequent visitor to the Benavides Heights Elementary School in Eagle Pass for over seven years, playing with the kids at recess and even walking them home on occasion. She became the unofficial school mascot, receiving food, water, and vaccinations from staff.

Ronald Zawacki-Maldonado, a literary specialist at the school, says that no one really knew what she did outside school hours, or at night. Before her accident last January, he had tried to bring her home with him several times, but she always ran off whenever he opened the car door.

A truck pulled off most of the tissue on one of Debbie’s legs, and she also suffered a spinal cord injury. Zawacki-Maldonado initially took her to a local veterinarian, then to another vet in Uvalde, and finally to South Texas Veterinary Specialists in San Antonio, for the specialized care she required.

Veterinarians were impressed by Debbie’s fortitude and optimistic nature, as she was reportedly friendly and co-operative at all times, even when first brought into the clinic in a severely injured state. Dr. Sarah Israel said, “She’s been quite a trooper considering the injuries she’s had.”

And as you can see, she’s received a whole lot of love from local kids too!

While Debbie still requires some additional physical therapy before she can regain her full walking strength, she was well enough to leave the STVS clinic on Thursday, and will now be living with Zawacki-Maldonado for good. Three cheers for Debbie!