When Rhonna Rogol and her daughter Alissa Rogol decided to bring a dog into their family’s life 13 years ago, they weren’t just looking for a pet – they were looking for a partner in therapy care. The result was Bella, a small Havanese with a big heart, whose impact would reach far beyond their own family and into hospitals, schools, and communities in need of comfort.
“Alissa was an attorney who decided to go into medicine,” Rhonna recalled. “When she began medical school, she wanted to adopt a dog that ultimately would work with her providing therapy to patients in need. At the time Alissa was commuting from where we lived in Connecticut to school in New York City. That and with our busy schedules, we decided to co-adopt a dog.”
After extensive research, they chose the Havanese, a breed known for being gentle, intelligent, and hypoallergenic. “We decided on a breed that would hopefully be perfect for us, which it ended up being,” Rhonna said. “That’s how Bella came into our family.”
Bella’s temperament proved ideal for therapy work. She earned her certification through The Good Dog Foundation in Manhattan, and her early years were spent comforting patients and families across a variety of settings, from pediatric wards to reading programs at schools.
“She was the therapy dog for a program I ran in Connecticut called Tea at Two,” said Rhonna. “We would make tea, bring homemade baked goods, and have music therapy with oncology patients and caregivers, and Bella was an integral part of that. After the Sandy Hook tragedy, we even took the program on the road to support first responders.”
Alissa, now a child and adolescent psychiatry-trained attending physician, witnessed Bella’s effect firsthand in medical environments. “When I was a medical student, Bella joined me on rotations at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. There were kids hospitalized for long periods, waiting for organ transplants and unable to have visitors. Those moments with children connecting with Bella were incredibly special,” she said.
Sometimes, Bella’s presence achieved what words could not. “I remember visiting an elderly residence where one patient hadn’t interacted with anyone for a long time,” Rhonna recalled. “When Bella came in, she suddenly wanted to hold her. The staff was astonished – dogs can have emotional breakthroughs that humans sometimes can’t.”
Years later, Bella suddenly developed a persistent cough and fatigue. Multiple emergency visits revealed fluid in her lungs and a torn mitral valve, signaling the onset of acute heart failure.
“It happened very quickly – over maybe two months,” Alissa said. “Her medication regimen increased rapidly, and she had a number of visits to the emergency room where she was having difficulty catching her breath.”
Faced with the progression of heart disease, the family began researching advanced treatment options. That search led them to the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital’s Open Heart Surgery Program, one of only a few in the world capable of performing mitral valve repair surgery in dogs.
“My mom actually found the program,” Alissa said. “She did all the research and legwork. Otherwise, our only options would have been in Japan or London.”
Bella’s case was referred by Sage Veterinary Center’s Dr. Sarah Silverman, and soon the family was in touch with Darcy Adin, D.V.M., and Katsuhiro Matsuura, D.V.M., Ph.D., at UF Small Animal Hospital. “From the beginning, the communication was excellent,” Rhonna said. “They explained everything clearly – even to me, who isn’t a medical professional – and they were always available when we had questions.”
Bella underwent open-heart surgery in 2023, becoming one of UF’s first canine patients in the program. The procedure and postoperative care were successful, and her recovery exceeded expectations.
“After recovering from the surgery, Bella gradually returned to her old self,” Rhonna said. “She went from being on many medications to none at all.”
Now, two years after her surgery, Bella continues to thrive while splitting her time between Alissa and Rhonna’s homes in California. Bella’s surgery not only extended her life, but also underscored the power of collaboration between veterinary professionals and families.
“I think every day that we have her post-surgery, we’re grateful,” Rhonna said. “She’s been such a gift to us, and to so many others over the years. After everything she’s given, she deserved every chance we could give her.”
About the UF Small Animal Hospital Open Heart Surgery Program
The University of Florida Small Animal Hospital launched its Open-Heart Surgery Program in 2023, providing advanced cardiac surgical options previously available only overseas. The program specializes in mitral valve repair, a life-saving procedure for dogs suffering from degenerative mitral valve disease – one of the most common causes of canine heart failure.
Led by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and cardiologists, the program offers cutting-edge techniques that restore cardiac function and dramatically improve quality of life and longevity. Early diagnosis, careful case selection, and strong collaboration with referring veterinarians are key components of the hospital’s approach.
The Havanese — Cuba’s Beloved Companion
The Havanese is the only dog breed native to Cuba. Small, sturdy, and covered in a silky coat, these dogs are known for their affectionate personalities and high intelligence. Their hypoallergenic coat along with their ability to be easily trained make them an excellent choice for therapy and service work.
