Armani's Story

In October 2013, Armani, a 23lb Cockapoo was brutally beaten during a home invasion.  He was taken to the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital where he was given a very small chance of survival.  His skull was fractured in multiple places.  Before his brain was imaged, the doctors thought it may have been a gun shot wound because his injuries were so extensive.  He was immediately put on anti-seizure medication, and was then given a blood transfusion due to brain hemorrhaging.  By morning, Armani had lost the ability to swallow.  His owners chose to put their trust in the University Vet team to save his life.  He was put on a ventilator and feeding tube while being monitored by the Emergency and Critical Care team 24 hours a day over a 10 day period.  He was slowly taken off anesthesia to see if he was able to breathe on his own.  The doctors had put him back under a few times due to his unstable blood pressure and temperature.  Armani's blood pressure would increase when his owners were in the room, which gave everyone hope.  When he finally awoke and was able to breathe on his own, he was very anxious and unable to walk.

Doctors said he would need weeks of physical therapy, but Armani proved everyone wrong.  Twelve days after the incident, Armani was able to take a few steps with the help of his special harness.  A week after being released from the hospial, he was able to walk on his own, although he had many falls.  He walked only in circles at first due to blindness in his right eye from the brain damage.  Armani eventually regained full function and even the ability to run!  He was "normal for Armani" as Dr. Bernhard from the University of Missouri Vet Hospital stated.  

A year later, Armani started having seizures and developed diabetes (among other ailments, thought to be related to brain degeneration from the head trauma).  After five months of fighting for his life again, he gained his angel wings.

Fortunately, Armani's owners were able to support the costs incurred for his miraculous recovery.  After seeing the funds raised through the generosity of friends and family, Armani's mom, Jessica Robertson, decided to start the non-profit organization Armani's Angels. 

Video created & produced by

Brian Jackson with Jackson videography

Discover the journey in which Armani's mom, Jessica, organized and created Armani's Angels: