AMES, IOWA — A dog named Honey walked across the commencement stage during the College of Veterinary Medicine graduation ceremony at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The dog had been treated by the graduating students throughout their final year of veterinary school.

Honey was hit by a car in Des Moines on Christmas Eve, sustaining multiple fractures to her skull and her sinus. A homeless man in Des Moines surrendered her to Iowa State University veterinary staff because he could not afford her care and did not want her euthanized. A friend of the owner drove her to the university.

The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center team began stabilizing Honey and treating her injuries upon arrival. Honey received rehabilitation services five days a week at the medical center and is likely in the final weeks of her rehabilitation.

"Fixing fractures, fixing things that they could fix — the most important thing was also trying to understand and manage the brain trauma that had occurred as well," said Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University.

Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids, a nonprofit, has raised $27,000 toward Honey's treatment. Jan Erceg, founder and medical director of the organization, described its role in the case. "We provide the funds and we help guide the care," Erceg said. "We work directly with the doctors on treatment plans."

Grooms said the case offered the graduating students a view of their future profession. "I think it just gives them a kind of peek into what they can do and the impact that they can have in taking care of animals," he said.

Laura Bradner, an animal foster, described Honey's temperament during her recovery. "She has the sweetest disposition. You can literally expect her to do anything, take her anywhere and she just goes with the flow," Bradner said. "You can just see it in her eyes that she just loves life."