Every one has a name.

A difficult arrival

Their journey took a difficult turn during transport, when Lass fell. Already suffering from a chronic injury to her left stifle, the fall aggravated her condition. When she arrived at the sanctuary, Lass could still stand and walk, but she was unstable, shifting her weight and compensating for the weakness and discomfort in her injured leg. Over the following two months, her mobility gradually deteriorated until she reached a point where she could no longer stand.

Several professionals who examined Lass recommended euthanasia. But Held & Healed’s founder, Andreana, saw something different. Despite her pain, Lass’s spirit remained strong. She was eager for human connection, engaged with her surroundings, and still bossed Weiger around just as she always had. Andreana believed Lass was not ready to give up, and she was determined to give her a chance.

A community of care

With the generosity of local professionals and supporters, Lass began her journey toward healing. Donated arena sand provided a softer surface for her to rest. Chiropractic treatments helped support her comfort and mobility. A secondhand PEMF blanket, purchased by the sanctuary, became part of her daily care, along with herbal supplements given each day to support her injured joints and overall well-being. And a remarkably patient farrier spent as much as two hours working with her, gently accommodating her physical limitations so she could receive the care she needed.

Held by Weiger

But some of Lass’s most extraordinary care came from Weiger himself.

During her most difficult days, when standing became a struggle, Weiger would sometimes position himself beside her, allowing Lass to lean against his body and use him to support her weight. It was a quiet and deeply moving expression of the bond they share. When her own body struggled to hold her up, her lifelong companion was there to help carry the burden.

Lass today

Over the following three months, Lass made extraordinary progress.

Although her injury has left lasting limitations, her quality of life has improved dramatically. She can stand, move, rest, and enjoy her days with far greater comfort. Every small improvement represents countless hours of patience, dedication, and the belief that her life is worth fighting for.

The meaning of Held & Healed

In many ways, Lass’s story is the very meaning of Held & Healed.

To be held is to be met with compassion, to be supported through vulnerability, and to know that one’s worth is never measured by strength, ability, or usefulness. It is the promise that even in the most difficult moments, no one will be left to struggle alone.

To be healed does not always mean being cured or returning to the way things once were. Healing can mean finding relief from pain, rediscovering comfort and joy, rebuilding trust, and being given the freedom to live fully within one’s limitations.

Lass has experienced both. She has been held by the unwavering devotion of Weiger, by the hands of those who care for her, and by a community that refused to give up on her. And within that safety and love, she has been given the opportunity to heal.

Her journey is a reminder that sometimes the greatest transformation comes not from fixing what is broken, but from creating the conditions in which life can flourish again.

Today, Lass has a forever home, her beloved Weiger by her side, and a community committed to her well-being. Her journey continues, and so does the promise made to her.

She will always be held, whether or not she can be fully healed.