Theo's Story
Theo, our first German Shepherd, was adopted from True North GSD Rescue in 2020. He isn't just a dog to us, he's a family member who has his own esteemed track record of saving lives and motivating us to go beyond.
Throughout our time as fosters for his rescue, he has single handedly aided in making 40+ new fosters feel comfortable, safe, and cared for in our home. He is an ambassador for new intakes and prospective volunteers, fosters, and adopters, meeting everyone and every pup with a kind, gentle, inviting spirit. He was also the main motivation for us to start our businesses, Bolder K9 and Bolder Dog Training.
Theo's Journey with Idiopathic Epilepsy
In 2021 at just over a year old, Theo was rushed to the emergency room after showing severe postictal behavior. After countless tests, he began having cluster gran mal seizures, which his emergency veterinary team were able to get under control and started him on medication.
He went 8 months seizure free until 2022, when he started having them multiple times a week. We spent thousands on emergency room bills, vet visits, medications, specialty diets and supplements, and even holistic medical practices in just a matter of months. Despite his incredibly knowledge and caring team of vets across several practices, he still struggles to control seizures to date.
Regardless of his disease, you would never know he had Epilepsy—he is the happiest dog you'll ever meet. And we know there are tens of thousands of dogs out there, just like Theo, whose resilience keeps their mindset overwhelmingly positive. We also know for every dog with a chronic condition like Canine Epilepsy, there is an owner behind them that struggles in a multitude of ways. We're here to help both you and your pup during these challenging times.
We're helping Theo build his legacy while his light still shines.
Mission
Vision
At Theo’s Promise, we believe no one should face a veterinary crisis alone. Inspired by our own journey with Theo, we’re here to stand beside families who love their pets—offering support, understanding, and real help when it’s needed most. Whether it’s providing preventative care resources, funding emergency treatment, or simply being a source of encouragement, our mission is to lighten the load and bring peace of mind.
We partner directly with veterinarians to ensure pets get the care they need while easing the financial burden on their people. But more than that, we’re building a community rooted in hope—where knowledge is shared, stories are heard, and every pet’s life is valued. Together, we’re making sure that medical challenges don’t define the journey—love does.
We envision a world where no pet is denied care because of cost, and no family feels isolated when facing a veterinary crisis. Through accessible financial assistance, Theo’s Promise aims to be a lifeline for those navigating the high costs of treatment—providing support for medications, diagnostics, emergency interventions, and ongoing care with dignity and ease. With voluntary income and debt disclosures, we ensure that anyone struggling gets a fair chance at financial aid regardless of how much they make, because we all need a little help sometimes.
Beyond financial aid, our vision includes a rich network of resources and education designed to empower pet owners with knowledge, confidence, and connection. We are building a welcoming online support group where anyone—whether facing an urgent diagnosis or managing long-term care—can share stories, ask questions, and find comfort in community. At Theo’s Promise, we believe informed, supported caregivers lead to better outcomes for pets, and that no one should ever walk this road alone.