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.

2026 Living Legends Honorees

Potato Chip | Treated by Drs. Daniel Spector & Chelsea Tyler

Potato Chip Baker, a 10-year-old mixed-breed dog from Petersburgh, VA, came to AMC’s Surgical Service 2 with a right adrenal mass that had invaded the largest vein in the abdomen responsible for returning all blood from the abdomen and hind end to the heart. To remove both the mass and tumor extension, Drs. Daniel Spector and Chelsea Tyler performed a surgical incision through the breastbone to access the chest and temporarily halt all blood flow through the vena cava. This enabled a highly complex and high-risk procedure called a “cavotomy,” in which the vessel was incised to remove the tumor before being rapidly repaired to restore circulation. During surgery, Potato Chip also required removal of his right kidney. The procedure involved significant blood loss, necessitating multiple transfusions—including one generously donated by AMC anesthesiologist Dr. Nikki Dowgos’ dog, Lucy—as well as intensive anesthetic support, which proved critical to his survival. Despite these challenges, Potato Chip recovered remarkably well and was discharged just four days later without complications related to the removal of his kidney. Throughout his care, he remained exceptionally sweet, and his devoted family provided unwavering support.

Roxy | Treated by Drs. Katherine Quesenberry & Daniel Spector

Roxy Nissman, a 15-year-old female eclectus parrot from Brooklyn Heights, came to AMC for a second opinion following chronic egg-laying and evaluation by multiple veterinarians. Prior assessments had identified two large soft tissue masses on either side of her neck, along with an elevated white blood cell count suggestive of infection or inflammation. At AMC, advanced diagnostics were performed to better characterize the masses and assess surgical risk. Ultrasound findings and a contrast-enhanced CT scan confirmed bilateral cervical masses closely associated with the jugular veins. Aspirates were submitted for next-generation DNA sequencing, which identified multiple bacterial species, supporting a diagnosis of chronic infection with granuloma formation (localized cluster of immune cells). Due to their proximity to critical vessels, surgery was high-risk. Dr. Daniel Spector successfully removed the larger left-sided mass despite marked vascularity and adhesions, while the smaller right-sided mass was left in place for long-term medical management. Over the following 18 months, Roxy responded exceptionally well to daily medication. The remaining mass regressed to a small nodule and the infection resolved. Today, Roxy continues to thrive without evidence of recurrence.

Snow | Treated by Drs. Chanel Berns & Jordan Pieczynski

Snow Gally, a two-year-old mixed-breed dog from Manhattan’s Upper East Side, was transferred to AMC after complications from a bite wound to her left hind limb. Upon arrival, she was critically ill with septic shock and required intensive care from the Critical Care Service. She was transferred to the Surgery Service while still in critical condition and diagnosed with arterial bleeding from the femoral vessels—the primary blood supply to the limb—as well as necrotizing fasciitis, a rare, rapidly progressive, and life-threatening soft tissue bacterial infection. The Cardiology Service was also consulted to manage concurrent cardiac dysfunction. Given the guarded prognosis, Snow’s family elected to proceed with amputation of the affected limb in a life-saving effort. She survived surgery and following removal of the infected limb, her condition stabilized. However, extensive tissue damage left a large open wound. After a week of negative pressure wound therapy, Snow underwent successful closure with a complex skin flap procedure performed by Drs. Chanel Berns, Chelsea Tyler, and Jordan Pieczynski. Over the following months, Snow made a remarkable recovery. Now thriving as a three-legged dog, she enjoys an active and joyful life and even ran along the beach in Maine during her parents’ vow renewal celebration.

Willow | Treated by Drs. Douglas Palma & Whitney Phipps

Willow Schiavoni, a seven-year-old shepherd mix from Sag Harbor, NY, came to AMC with recurrent fluid accumulation in the chest. She was diagnosed with coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection, which had led to restrictive pericarditis—a rare condition in which inflammation and fibrosis of the tissues surrounding the heart impair its ability to fill and pump effectively. Willow was evaluated by Dr. Douglas Palma and underwent an extensive diagnostic workup, including CT imaging, echocardiography with the Cardiology Service, fluid analysis, and fungal testing. These findings confirmed that her condition had progressed, causing her to go into congestive heart failure and her chest to fill with fluid. Without surgical intervention, her prognosis was poor. She underwent a procedure performed by Dr. Whitney Phipps, DVM, DACVS-SA, involving chest surgery, removal of the heart’s lining, and an epicardial “waffle”—a rare technique in which small incisions are made in the surface of the heart to improve cardiac function. This procedure is extremely uncommon in veterinary medicine, and to our knowledge, Willow is among just a few dogs to have received this treatment. Following several days of intensive postoperative care, Willow made a remarkable recovery, and she has returned to an active, healthy life.

Benefit Co-Chairs

Donna Acquavella, Vanessa B. Eastman, Brooke Garden, Laura Garner, Michael Heaner, 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, Nicole Seligman, Ann R. Tisch, Janet York

Benefit Committee

Mr. & Mrs. William Acquavella
Judy Hart Angelo
Pauline Baker Pitt
Mary Baroutakis Demetriou
Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos
Susan & Jim Baumann
Virginia S. Burke
Lisa Carlton-Wilson
Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault
Chase & Stephanie Coleman
Diane & Robert Cummings
Gus N. Davis & Edward J. Sumpter
Maria Nelly DiMeglio
Cynthia Dressler
Vanessa B. Eastman
Robert Fagenson & Linda Berley
Mr. & Mrs. J. Pepe Fanjul
Brooke Garden
Laura Garner & Roger Hardon
Mr. David Gerstenhaber
Sarah Jane & Trevor Gibbons
Phil & Karen Glick
Arne & Milly Glimcher
Becky & David Gochman
Mrs. Robert G. Goelet
Susan Gutfreund
Mr. & Mrs. Martin Hack
Martin & Helena Hoffman
HomeVetsNYC/PetRequiem
The Huxley Family
Joan Lewis & Howard Jaeckel
Elizabeth R. Kabler
Lena Kaplan
Denise & Michael Kellen Foundation
Nancy M. Kissinger
Sharon Amsterdam Koplin
Richard Krasnow & Nancy Meyrich
Emilia Saint-Amand Krimendahl
Elaine Langone
Joan Lazarus
Sandra Lee Rogers
Bobby Liberman
Melinda L. Lloyd
Marianne Mebane
Tamara Mellon, OBE & Michael Ovitz
Linda & Russell Munson
Naddisy Foundation
Nicholas & Lence Communications
Kane Nussbaum
Jenny Paulson
David P. Pearson
Mrs. Katharine J. Rayner
Langhorne Reid III
Sandra Lee Rogers
Jeff Romley
Joanne Ronson
Elizabeth Gore Ross
In loving memory of Bill Sandow
Jerri Sherman
Nicole Seligman & Joel Klein
Helene Stein
Suzanne E. Stone, Cinderella & Chelsie Stone Memorial Fund
John Tarraf
Ann R. Tisch
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Claude Wasserstein & Israel Englander
Janet York
Pamela Zilly & John Schaefer