nsd News
It Took a Village: The Miraculous Journey of a Service Puppy Named Ethan
KITCHENER, ON – May 12, 2026 – When a litter of yellow Labrador puppies was born into the National Service Dog (NSD) program on February 1, 2025, no one could have predicted the journey of heartache and hope that awaited one small pup named Ethan. Today, National Service Dogs is proud to share a story of resilience that defines their core mission: a commitment to the health and well-being of their dogs that transcends the standard “working dog” relationship.
At just four months old, Ethan’s puppy raisers noticed he was sweet and highly trainable, but struggled with incontinence. What was expected to be a simple bladder infection resulted in a devastating, potentially terminal diagnosis: defective kidneys.
“There are no words to describe the heartache of looking at this beautiful little puppy full of promise and preparing for his end-of-life journey,” said NSD Executive Director Danielle Forbes.
By the summer of 2025, Ethan was moved into hospice care at Forbes’ own home to ensure his comfort during what was expected to be his final months. However, as news of Ethan’s condition spread, a “village” of veterinarians and specialists began to consult on his case. After additional diagnostics and a CT scan, a challenging, life-saving decision was made: Ethan would undergo surgery to remove the abnormal kidney.
On December 4, 2025, a dedicated veterinary team undertook the complicated procedure. They discovered the kidney was many times its normal size and septic, but the surgery was a success. Following six weeks of rest and monitoring, tests in February 2026 confirmed that Ethan’s remaining kidney has returned to normal functionality.
While his medical history precludes him from traditional service work, Ethan has been officially adopted by Danielle Forbes and is currently training to become NSD’s permanent “Ambassador Dog,” succeeding the retiring NSD Chartwell.
“Everything NSD does begins and ends with the health and wellbeing of our dogs through every season of their lives,” says Forbes. “We choose this career for them and honour them by ensuring they are able to live full, meaningful, healthy lives”.
Ethan’s journey and recovery is a testament to the dedication of his puppy raisers and the “rockstar” veterinary team that refused to give up on him. He stands today as a symbol of NSD’s unwavering commitment to the animals that will one day change the lives of Canadians across the country.
Special thanks to Dr. Jackie Bowcott and the incredible team at Oxford County Veterinary Clinic
Join the NSD community! For more information on how to Get Involved or Donate visit https://nsd.on.ca/get-involved/
