Living Legends is a beloved event that holds a unique place at AMC, highlighting the extraordinary work happening at our hospital each day while honoring the deep connection between people and their pets. Each year, we recognize animals who have overcome medical challenges—thanks to the unwavering love and commitment of their owners, combined with the expertise and cutting-edge care provided by our specialty veterinarians.

2025 Living Legends Honorees

Fred | Presented by Dr. Nicole Leibman

Fred, an 11-year-old Domestic Shorthair Cat, was diagnosed with metastatic mast cell cancer in 2019. This type of cancer affects the immune system, causing mast cells—normally a vital part of immune function—to accumulate abnormally in organs and the bloodstream. Fred’s spleen was infiltrated with mast cells, requiring a splenectomy. Shortly after his surgery, Fred came to AMC and was evaluated by the Medical Oncology Service, where further signs of mast cell disease were detected in his liver and abdominal lymph nodes. In response, the team initiated treatment with the first oral chemotherapy drug developed specifically for animals. Fred’s condition stabilized quickly with the medication, and he tolerated it remarkably well over the next six years. Recently, however, Fred’s disease progressed rapidly, and he became critically ill. Now 17 years old, he was hospitalized under the care of the Oncology Service in February of this year. The team acted swiftly to stabilize him and adjusted his treatment with a higher dose of the medication. Once again, Fred responded well to the intervention, and he continues to thrive with this ongoing care.

Archie | Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Appleman

Archie, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, arrived at AMC in January 2024 and was diagnosed with severe protein losing enteropathy (PLE) by Dr. Bianca Landfield. He was hospitalized for four days with the Internal Medicine team, requiring intensive care, a gastrointestinal endoscopy, and a feeding tube. His long-term care was overseen by Dr. Elizabeth Appleman and Patient Care Assistant Emma Jachimowicz. Despite steroid therapy, Archie’s condition worsened, leading to abdominal fluid buildup, portal hypertension (or high pressure in the liver), and severe paw pad ulcerations on three paws, prompting wound repair and skin grafts by AMC surgeon Dr. Daniel Spector. In March, a CT scan and liver biopsy were performed to further investigate Archie’s liver dysfunction; complications from his high steroid dose were suspected as the cause. At the height of his treatment, Archie was on 12 medications, multiple tube feedings daily, and frequent bathroom breaks to manage his steroid side effects. For eight months, Archie visited AMC weekly—initially for abdominal fluid drainage with Karen Poeppel, LVT, and later for bandage changes with Dr. Shana Coffey. With ongoing medication adjustments by Dr. Appleman, Archie’s PLE was controlled, his liver function stabilized, and his paw ulcerations fully healed by August 2024.

Emmalein | Presented by Dr. Jonathan Ferrari

Emmalein, a Domestic Shorthair Cat, was found as a stray kitten with a chest wound and fractured sternum, outside her family’s home. Before coming to AMC, she underwent three surgeries, but the wound remained open and infected. At AMC, she received several types of treatments including fish skin application (a medical dressing made from actual fish skin used to improve healing of large wounds), vacuum-assisted closure therapy, and surgery involving skin flaps and grafts performed by Dr. Jonathan Ferrari. Unfortunately, Emmalein also developed epilepsy, and her seizures caused the wound to reopen and the infection to emerge from beneath her skin. Drs. Dan Cimino and Zoe Daniels from the Neurology Service treated her seizures, and a CT scan revealed the underlying cause of the persistent infection—her fractured sternum had lost its blood supply and became necrotic bone. To address this, surgeons Dr. Jonathan Ferrari and Dr. Daniel Spector removed the infected bone and reconstructed the diaphragm (a sternbrectomy). With the infection source gone, the wound finally healed through regular bandage care and Emmalein has been able to resume a healthy and active life.

Cooper | Presented by Dr. Chanel Berns

Cooper, a Chihuahua Mix, was attacked while out for a walk. A bystander rushed him and his owner to AMC’s Emergency Room, where he was immediately triaged. Cooper sustained severe, life-threatening injuries, including multiple wounds, a jaw fracture, and injuries to his left arm below the elbow. He underwent emergency overnight surgery to repair penetrating abdominal wounds that were causing a body wall hernia and threatening his internal organs. Once stable, AMC’s Cardiology team performed an echocardiogram to ensure he could withstand a second anesthesia in order to amputate his damaged forearm. While under anesthesia, the Dentistry team also extracted several teeth to address Cooper’s jaw fracture. Despite the immense pain and challenges, Cooper never lost his fighting spirit. After his surgical recovery, he continued care with AMC’s Rehab team and now walks comfortably and proudly on three legs.

Benefit Co-Chairs

Donna Acquavella, Vanessa B. Eastman, Tina Pendergrast Santi Flaherty, Brooke Garden, Laura Garner, Nancy M. Kissinger, Sharon Amsterdam Koplin, Emilia Saint-Amand Krimendahl, Elaine Langone, Bobby Liberman, Marianne Mebane, Kane Nussbaum, Mrs. Katharine J. Rayner, Elizabeth Gore Ross, Lisa Schiff, Nicole Seligman, Ann R. Tisch, Janet York

Benefit Committee

Mr. and Mrs. William Acquavella
Judy Hart Angelo
Mrs. Lillian Applebaum
Tom and Kathy Arrix
The Baumann Family Foundation
Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos
Brook Berlind
Steven Boxer
Mrs. Kendall Chen
Chase and Stephanie Coleman
Rebecca Colin, Ph.D.
Cecily Davis
Kate Coyne
Gus N. Davis & Edward J. Sumpter
Maria Nelly DiMeglio
Cynthia Dressler
Vanessa Eastman
Mrs. Jose P. Fanjul
Tina Pendergrast Santi Flaherty
Brooke Garden
Laura Garner & Roger Hardon
Eleni Gianopulos
Mrs. Robert G. Goelet
Dorothy Goldstein
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Hack
Martin and Helena Hoffman
Norman D. & Sandra Holman
Dieter Holterbosch
The Huxley Family
Josie and Jemma
Cathy M Kaplan
Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation
Nancy M. Kissinger
Sharon Amsterdam Koplin
Emilia Saint-Amand Krimendahl
Rebecca & Sacha Lainovic
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Langone
Joan Lazarus
Betsy & Hunt Lawrence
Robert Liberman
Dr. Wendy McCulloch
Marianne Mebane
Nancy Meyrich and Richard Krasnow
Linda and Russell Munson
Nicholas & Lence Communications
Kane Nussbaum
Jenny Paulson
David P. Pearson
Elizabeth Peyton
Yvette Pomerantz
Mrs. Katharine J. Rayner
Annette de la Renta
Sascha Rockefeller
Jeff Romley
Joanne Ronson
Elizabeth Gore Ross
Lisa and David T Schiff
Nicole Seligman & Joel Klein
Kurt N. and Katherine L. Simon
Heidi Spiegel and Nuno Gaspar
Helene Stein
Suzanne E. Stone, Cinderella and Chelsie Stone Memorial Fund
Ann R. Tisch
Ann Unterberg
Virginia Valentine
Lisa Wilson
Janet York