Thomas Tyree, a police officer at Lone Star College-Tomball, typically conducts his patrols by driving around the school grounds. However, one pleasant morning in August 2022, he decided to switch things up and conduct his patrol on foot. This gave him the opportunity to enjoy the weather, get some exercise, and reduce wear and tear on the vehicles. While walking the west side of the campus, he heard whimpering near the veterinary technology building. The cries were so faint that he may not have noticed them if he had been in his patrol vehicle.
Upon hearing a peculiar sound around the building, Tyree investigated and came across an abandoned puppy in a hole. The poor animal was covered in leaves and dirt, swarmed with insects, and appeared to be in dire need of help. Tyree’s first reaction was to offer the puppy water and seek assistance. He could tell that the puppy was struggling and injured because it tried to get up to drink more water from him. Not wanting to worsen its condition, Tyree sought help from vet tech staff assistant Sarah Ferguson, who was able to take care of the puppy. Tyree has a service mentality and is always willing to lend a hand to those in distress, be it a person or an animal.
The little pup had suffered from road rash and was gravely injured with three broken legs. Typically, the vet tech program didn’t take in animals in such a critical condition, but the staff and students refused to give up on the pup. Dr. Angela MacFarlane, the program veterinarian, stated that the dog’s injuries were even worse than she anticipated. They were presented with two options: put the puppy down due to the extent of the injuries or attempt to treat him. However, there was no guarantee that this would lead to an excellent quality of life for the animal. Despite the tough choice, everyone agreed that they had to at least try. Tyree was pleasantly surprised the next time he saw the puppy as it had undergone several successful medical procedures and was sporting three casts on its legs.
The puppy’s health gradually improved after a few days of recovery. According to Ferguson, the adorable pup has now become their beloved mascot. During the time of the incident, Jeff Gruber, a vet tech student, was present, and he ended up adopting the little fellow. In a statement, Gruber mentioned that Legless runs and plays just like any other dog, without any signs of leg issues. He is incredibly lively, well-behaved, and cheerful, all thanks to the LSC-Tomball community’s incredible support. Tyree, who played a crucial role in rescuing the puppy, was recently designated as the 2022 Police Officer of the Year for the Lone Star College Police Department. His advice to those who find themselves in similar situations is to keep trying and never give up on animals or individuals, even if your first efforts are unsuccessful.
