A new student fund has been established at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine to support future veterinarians. The Irresistibulls Veterinary Student Fund was endowed by Ryan and Ashley Whitney in honor of their beloved English bulldogs and in gratitude for the exceptional care they received at the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Ryan and Ashley relocated to Gainesville from the Midwest in 2019. They adopted their first dog, Penelope, an English bulldog the following year. They grew their English bulldog family with the adoption of Auggie in 2021, Daisy in 2023, and Gus in 2024.
Penelope and Auggie were healthy, happy puppies, although Penelope experienced some common breed-related conditions such as allergies. The Whitneys sought care for those conditions at the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where Penelope and Auggie underwent brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) surgery, a common procedure to correct anatomical obstructions in flat-faced dogs like English bulldogs.
While the Whitneys were grateful for the excellent care provided, they never anticipated the need for extensive or life-altering treatment. That changed in May 2023, when Auggie began experiencing respiratory distress. Their local veterinarian ordered chest x-rays and immediately referred them to UGA. There, they received the devastating news that Auggie, just two years old, had a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma common to young male English bulldogs. His prognosis was poor—ranging from weeks to months.
The Whitneys chose to pursue chemotherapy, hoping to give Auggie more time. For six months, they made weekly trips to Athens for his treatments. Despite the challenges and side effects of chemotherapy, Auggie remained gentle, calm, and affectionate. He often served as a teaching case for residents and students, patiently allowing them to learn while receiving compassionate care in return.
Throughout his treatment, Auggie was supported by a dedicated team of clinicians, including oncology resident, Dr. Emily Janik, who followed him consistently throughout his care. Her expertise and compassion provided reassurance that Auggie was receiving world-class treatment.
Despite trying three different treatment protocols, Auggie’s cancer ultimately did not respond. He passed away six months after his diagnosis, surrounded by a care team that remained with him every step of the way. Following his passing, the UGA oncology team gifted the Whitneys a book filled with personal messages from those who cared for Auggie—a keepsake they deeply treasure.
The Whitneys chose to honor the care team and Auggie’s legacy by establishing the veterinary support fund. The Irresistibulls Veterinary Student Fund will help students pursue their veterinary education, with the hope that they will continue to provide the same level of compassion, excellence, and dedication to animals and their families—and perhaps be inspired to pursue careers in veterinary oncology.
Although their time with Auggie was far too short, the Whitneys have ensured that his impact will live on through the students and patients supported by this fund.
