It’s hard to imagine Joe—a 6’7” recent graduate and soon-to-be nursing student—as a first grader with cancer. But in 2013, that was the reality Joe and his family faced.
When Joe was in kindergarten, his mom and dad noticed a lump on his neck. Doctors initially thought it was an infection and tried all the usual treatments, but nothing was helping. Eventually, they were referred to a head and neck specialist who performed a biopsy. Less than 24 hours later, they received the news no parent ever wants to hear—Joe had cancer.
Thankfully, doctors caught it in the early stages. Still, the treatment was a brutal process for a little boy. Joe’s dad, Tony, described it as “hitting the cancer with a sledgehammer.” That summer, Joe endured five intense rounds of chemotherapy, lost his hair, went through countless hospital visits and infusions, and finally began his road to recovery.
“I think anyone who has experienced cancer will tell you that you don’t really think about what you need to do—you just show up and do it,” Tony said. “And then hope it’s dealt with in the end.”
While Joe spent the summer in treatment, he had to be away from his friends. Instead of playing outside like a typical 6-year-old, he was inside, sleeping or in the hospital. To make things even harder, the family’s beloved cat passed away while Joe was in treatment, leaving him feeling especially lonely.
Then, during one hospital visit, his parents came across a brochure for the Stink Bug Project. As Joe started his recovery, they decided to apply.
Once their application was accepted, the next step was to find the perfect dog. They met several through the Stink Bug Project’s partnership with Colorado Correctional Industries’ K9 Companion Training Program, but none felt quite right—until they met Mr. Man, a little poodle mix who wasn’t even originally up for adoption. The family fell in love instantly.
“Most of the dogs we met were medium to large, which just wasn’t the right fit for our family,” Tony said. “But once they brought out Mr. Man, it was a done deal.”
Mr. Man quickly became Joe’s loyal companion. Through recovery and all the follow-up appointments that come with cancer remission, Mr. Man was by Joe’s side, offering comfort and unconditional love. After long days, he’d curl up on the couch with Joe, just being there.
Thirteen years later, Mr. Man is still part of the family. He’s an older dog now, with a heart condition, and is entering the final stage of his life. But those 13 years have been full of love and memories.
“We’ve brought him on all our family trips,” Tony said. “He’s just been a big part of our lives.”
As Mr. Man’s health began to decline, the vet bills grew more expensive, and the family feared they might have to make difficult decisions. Thanks to a generous grant from members of our community, the Stink Bug Project launched a Flex Fund to help families cover veterinary care and other ongoing expenses for their Stink Bug dogs. The family reached out to Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, and were met with relief when their vet bills were fully covered.
“This means so much to us,” Tony said. “It’s given us the ability to make emotional decisions instead of hard ones—and to get Mr. Man the treatment he needs so we can keep him around a little longer.”
For Joe and his family, Mr. Man—and the Stink Bug Project—have made a lasting impact. An impact that wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of donors.
“I want people to know that with any money given to the Stink Bug Project, you can see the return on investment,” Tony said. “Every one of us is just thankful that we have this dog, so our kids could go through this with a partner.”
For the past 13 years, Joe and his family have told the story of how Mr. Man came into their lives. For Joe, Mr. Man will always be special—not just because of what he did, but because of what he represents. That’s what the Stink Bug Project is all about.
