Therapy dog Gracie takes on new mission in fight against blastomycosis
New university findings highlight potential implications for dogs, treatment, and veterinary practice.
“Despite how extensive her disease was, what stood out most to our team was Gracie’s incredibly sweet and happy personality,” Ludwig says.
When Mary and Paul Brinkman adopted Gracie, a little grey dog from an Alabama rescue, they were immediately drawn to her calm and gentle nature.
After taking obedience classes, Gracie quickly transitioned from a rescue pup to a certified therapy dog, spending her days at Jackson Elementary School in Jackson, Wisconsin, where children in special education classes read her stories.
But in 2025, the dog who spent her life comforting others faced a devastating diagnosis.
What began as small skin lesions worsened into draining sores, followed by changes in her left eye, a limp, and a decrease in her energy level and appetite.
Tests performed by her local veterinarian confirmed the presence of blastomycosis, a fungal infection.
The disease is often associated with areas near water or damp, recently disturbed soil.
“Gracie lives in a quiet neighborhood that is not near any bodies of water,” says Claire Ludwig , a small animal internal medicine resident with at UW Veterinary Care (UWVC).
“Her story is a reminder that blastomycosis can affect dogs in a wide range of environments and should remain on owners’ radars even in less typical settings.” By the time Gracie arrived at UWVC, the blastomycosis had spread to her lungs, bones, skin, and lymph nodes.
One of the most serious complications was severe inflammation in her left eye, which resulted in permanent vision loss.
“Even while she was clearly not feeling well, she remained bright, affectionate, and eager to interact with everyone who cared for her.” In addition to receiving life-saving care, Gracie became the first patient to enroll in a clinical trial studying how UWVC’s advanced PET/CT imaging technology can help assess blastomycosis.
The report adds to ongoing university-led research relevant to veterinary medicine, animal health, and clinical decision-making.
Source university website: University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/blastomycosis-dog-petct-clinical-trial-gracie/
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