Heartwarming video shows 1-year-old cancer patient bond with therapy dog
A 1-year-old boy diagnosed with cancer received a delightful surprise when a therapy dog visited him while he was recovering from a liver transplant as part of his treatment.
Video footage from the heartwarming moment shows 20-month-old Asher overjoyed when Maverick, a 2-year-old therapy dog, visited him. The two appear to instantly hit it off with the yellow lab fishing for cuddles and the little boy generously giving them to him.
Asher's mom, Ambra Frank, told USA TODAY over email on July 31 that her son had been in bed "resting for a few weeks while recovering from his liver transplant" at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and was uncharacteristically sad until Maverick dropped by like a ray of sunshine.
"He was feeling very down and hadn't been smiling much, which is so unlike our joyful little boy," Frank shared. "But the moment Maverick walked in, Asher lit up. He pushed himself up to sit, on his own, for the first time since surgery, and had the biggest smile on his face."
"Hearing him giggle again brought tears to our eyes," she continued, adding that Asher had no idea Maverick would be coming, so it "was a complete surprise."
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Watch 1-year-old cancer patient bond with therapy dog at Ohio hospital
'Special, giggly moments'
Frank said Maverick stayed with Asher for a few minutes, and the two "shared some really special, giggly moments together," with Asher loving Maverick's kisses.
"He thought Maverick's wagging tail was especially silly, he kept reaching for it and giggling," according to Frank.
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Asher is currently in remission
Asher, who is 20 months old, was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer called hepatoblastoma when he was just 1. At the time of diagnosis, his cancer was also metastatic; however, Asher is now recovering slowly and is currently in remission.
"He's continuing to heal following his liver transplant and has been showing so much strength and resilience through it all," Frank said. "While we're still navigating the ups and downs of recovery, moments like his visit with Maverick have brought him so much joy."
Maverick, meanwhile, is a therapy dog at Nationwide Children's Hospital, according to the hospital's website. The yellow lab, who turned 2 this July, is a graduate of New Albany Therapy Dogs, a national nonprofit that "provides expertly trained service dogs," according to its website. Maverick has been with the Nationwide Children's Butterfly Paws team since May 1, 2025, and comes to work with his handler, working rounds with the medical team every day, the hospital told USA TODAY.
Maverick's favorite activities include running with friends, playing with crinkle toys and taking long naps in between helping patients, families and staff. The pup, described as a giver on the hospital's website, loves to gift toys and is known to be always smiling.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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