{"id":1090,"date":"2026-06-20T05:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T05:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orangecountymoversreport.com\/?p=1090"},"modified":"2026-06-20T05:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T05:34:13","slug":"socal-girl-with-crippling-spinal-injury-draws-inspiration-from-a-therapy-dog-with-the-same-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orangecountymoversreport.com\/?p=1090","title":{"rendered":"SoCal girl with crippling spinal injury draws inspiration from a therapy dog with the same injury"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — <\/span>A 9-year-old Ventura County girl is working to walk again after a life-threatening spinal fracture, drawing strength from her family and an unlikely source of inspiration, a therapy dog that survived a similar injury.<\/p>\n

Read more LAPD releases video of 210 Freeway shooting involving armed carjacking suspect<\/a><\/p>\n

The Tuzak family was traveling during a rainy February road trip when their truck lost traction and hydroplaned.<\/p>\n

“I was trying to do the best that I could to brake, and we unfortunately went head first into a cement pillar,” said Veronica Tuzak.<\/p>\n

Tuzak, her husband Tim, and their 13-year-old son TJ all suffered serious injuries. But 9-year-old Ryan Tuzak was the most critically hurt.<\/p>\n

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“She suffered a fracture in her neck which was pushing on her spinal cord,” her father said.<\/p>\n

Ryan also experienced trauma to vital organs and was transported to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she underwent multiple surgeries, including a spinal fusion.<\/p>\n

“There was a lot of pressure on the spinal cord, and where the spinal cord was was a really small space because it was so swollen,” said Dr. Virendra Desai, a neurosurgeon at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

“She really had essentially no use of her arms and legs on her initial exams,” said Dr. Lindsay Andras, Director of the Spine Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

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Doctors feared Ryan might become a quadriplegic and depend on a ventilator for the rest of her life.<\/p>\n

“We lived in that for a while, I would say probably a month, of just not knowing what was going to happen,” Ryan’s dad said.<\/p>\n

Read more LAPD releases bodycam video showing moments before officer shoots and kills dog in Canoga Park<\/a><\/p>\n

After a month in intensive care, Ryan was moved to the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation center. At the time, she could not move her head, arms or legs.<\/p>\n

Ryan’s rehabilitation demanded a grueling effort.<\/p>\n

“You go into this rehab where you’re being pushed 18 hours a week, six days a week,” said CHLA physical therapist Rubi Buxton.<\/p>\n

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Over time, Ryan began to show improvement. By her side throughout the process has been her brother and a special chihuahua-terrier mix named Dip. Dip, like Ryan, suffered a spinal cord injury and had to relearn how to walk.<\/p>\n

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“We got to do some really great physical therapy for him, an underwater treadmill,” said Dip’s companion Dylan Rupert.<\/p>\n

On difficult days when Ryan felt like giving up, hospital staff showed her videos of Dip performing the same exercises she was attempting.<\/p>\n

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The dog’s progress became a source of motivation. Dip also joined Ryan in the hospital hallways, running alongside her as she practiced pedaling on a specialized bike.<\/p>\n

“It does help her to see if Dip can do it, I can do it, you know? He can do it, I can do it. Haha,” Veronica Tuzak said.<\/p>\n

Four months after the crash, Ryan is now leaving the hospital. She still faces a long road to recovery but has made significant strides.<\/p>\n

“I’m really thankful for my family being there, my surgeons and especially my brother, and Dip,” Ryan said.<\/p>\n

Read more Shohei Ohtani not in Dodgers\u2019 lineup while away from team on paternity leave<\/a><\/p>\n

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