(COLORADO SPRINGS) — K9 Roam was released from the vet and started his journey home around 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, and the community showed up to cheer him on, lining the street as he rode by in a procession of Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) vehicles.
The procession took Roam from the hospital, Animal ER Care, down Fountain Boulevard on a route that allowed him to pass by the CSPD Specialized Enforcement Division, Roam’s assigned station.
Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Jaiden Kelsey Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Courtesy: CSPD
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, Roam was gravely injured while attempting to take a suspect, later identified as active duty Sergeant First Class Anthony Bryant, into custody. Roam suffered several injuries, needing several hours of surgery, including one to amputate his left hind leg.
On Saturday, a grateful community showed its support for Roam, holding signs that called him a hero and a “Good Boy,” as he and his CSPD entourage rode by.
After the procession passed, a press conference was held to update the public on Roam’s progress.
Danika Hayden, a staff veterinarian at Animal Care, said, “He did come in in very, very critical condition. I think there was question if he was going to make it or not, just based on the extent of his injuries. We had a fantastic team of doctors, technicians, and support staff that helped work to stabilize him over the course of an hour or two.”
Dr. Michelle Morgan, one of the surgeons who worked on Roam at Mountain View Veterinary Surgery, said, “We worked as two teams. So, as you know, he had extensive injuries to his head, his abdomen, to his leg. So we grouped up in two teams, the surgery and our nursing staff, to take care of his injuries and to be able to stabilize him to get him to the post-op.”
According to Hayden, there was an overwhelming response from doctors and technicians from different practices lending support, as well as K9s from various law enforcement groups donating blood, and she credited the support for his recovery.
“He’s three days out from these extensive injuries, and he is, I mean, he amazes us every day,” said Dr. Morgan. “Incredible to see. As you know, we did have to amputate his leg to help save his life. And he is up walking. He’s wagging his tail. He’s he is just happy to be with his back, with his handler and his family.”
Dr. Morgan said that unless Roam had any setbacks, he is expected to make a full recovery.
Hayden said it was very exciting to see what comparatively good shape he was in just a couple of days later. “I think watching him walk out of the clinic today was maybe one of the highlights of the last ten years that I’ve been practicing. He’s a really incredible dog, and it’s very exciting to see.”
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
