Healing Others through Cancer: Summer's Story

Who is Summer?

Summer came into Rebecca Diamondstone’s life one month after she bought her first house. She was on her own and knew that not only did she want a dog, she wanted it to be a therapy dog. “When I went to meet Summer I picked her out because she came running around the yard, ran right to me, and sat. She was 8 weeks old and even then there was something about her eyes; they see into your soul.”

Diamondstone immediately began training her and continued to train weekly, never having stopped. At 1 year and 4 months she passed the Delta, now Pet Partners therapy certification. She is now 9 1/2 years old. During the years, she has visited weekly at over 12 facilities ranging from personal care homes, reading programs, hospitals, and Millersville University. She has logged between 8-10 hours a month for 9 years. During the 9 years she has lived with Diamondstone she has also spent many hours in an Intensive Day Treatment Facility working with kids diagnosed with mental health disorders and behavioral issues. In therapy work alone she has affected hundreds of lives. In 2010, Summer and Diamondstone received their certification as a crisis response team. They currently work with National Animal Assisted Crisis Response and have continued to make a difference for hundreds of others. Summer and Diamondstone had the honor of assisting the Salvation Army in New York City, working with family members at the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 with those who had lost loved ones. In 2011, they were one of two canine teams that assisted the students of Manheim Central High School in Lancaster County, PA after four students and members of the football team were tragically killed in a car accident. In that one day alone, Summer assisted hundreds of faculty and students as they started their grieving process. Summer and Diamondstone are also members of the Lancaster County Critical Incident Stress Management Team and work with first responders throughout the county to assist them in dealing with the tragedies that they face in their jobs. This past Spring, Summer assisted Diamondstone in telling the kids she worked with that one of their own staff members had passed away. Although the facility is a therapeutic placement, Summer helped the kids face their loss and start their grieving process. Summer and Diamondstone’s latest obstacle occurred a few months ago, Summer had a small bump on her neck. Thinking it was harmless, Diamondstone didn't do anything. As the months went by, it seemed to start growing and draining. On October 11, they had their veterinarian aspirate it and was told it needed to come off immediately. On 10/14, Summer had what was now a marble size lump taken out of her neck area with 4 cm margins. On 10/20, Diamondstone was told it came back as a carcinoma and the margins were not clear. On 10/21, she had a second surgery and a wider margin was taken from the area. Her chest x-rays were clear and all bloodwork was normal. However, the cancer was ruled as an apocrine carcinoma and labeled as high grade. Due to the high grade level, surgery would not be enough and after meeting with an oncologist additional systemic therapy in the form of chemotherapy was deemed necessary in order to prevent reoccurrence. Summer would require 5 rounds of chemotherapy over a 15 week period, with bloodwork required after every round of chemotherapy, along with medications and follow up radiographs. This would be on top of the two surgeries that she already had. Summer had no idea she was sick and continued to face every day with her instinct to help others guiding her way. Due to her zest for life, showing no signs of sickness, and her impact on our community, “I have no option, but to help her fight.” Diamondstone asked for the support of the community via a GoFundMe to help fund Summer’s treatment “I am asking for you all to help Summer "fight like a girl" so we can pay it forward by continuing to provide comfort to others.” All funds donated were used to cover medical costs of treatment. If more then necessary was achieved, funds would be donated to research for canine cancer or to help other working dogs diagnosed with cancer. $3240 was raised which covered Summer’s treatment. Unfortunately Summer still needs bloodwork panels and radiographs every three months for at least the next year. Regardless Diamondstone and Summer are eternally grateful for the support they have gained during this tough period. Summer is in remission as of now and loving life, continuing to help others that need her unconditional love and support.

About Rebecca Diamondstone:

Rebecca has always pulled towards animals and kids her whole life. She started shadowing in her local vet office when she was 12 to learn and when she turned 14 they hired her. Just shy of 15 years later Rebecca still works part-time in a vet office as a tech and part time at a dog training facility teaching beginner to advanced training classes. She works full time at an Intensive Day Treatment Program for Catholic Charities working with youth 9-16 diagnosed with mental health disorders. When not working Rebecca spends her time volunteering with her three Goldens doing therapy work in hospitals, nursing homes, and kids programs representing Therapy Dogs Inc. She also works with Summer through National Crisis Response Canines to serve others during times of crisis and disaster. When not working or volunteering she enjoys spending time with her three Goldens, four cats, and 27 year old rescued blue front Amazon parrot.

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