Viral Facebook campaign collects 500K dog photos for Phoenix teen

A viral campaign to bring joy to a Phoenix teenager, friend and son, in crisis has amassed more than 500,000 photos of man's best friend from all over the world.

Anthony Lyons has three dogs of his own, but they can't come visit him while he's undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoblastic leukemia.

Once a month, the 16-year-old checks into the Phoenix Children's Hospital for treatment where he sits in silence waiting for the moment he can go home, he said.

The only time his mood improves are during visits from hospital's therapy dogs.

"When the dogs come, that's the one thing that makes me smile," Lyons said. "The dogs are so happy. They come in and they are already happy. They just want to see you."

But the dogs don't come every day, he said

So a family friend began a Facebook events page called "Photo Doggies for Anthony," where Lyons can look at pictures of happy dogs anytime he wants.

By New Year's Eve, more than 7,000 people had accepted "invitations" to the online event. As of Monday, more than 900,000 people joined the guest list.

"This has gotten so viral that it is making local and soon National News....One thing I have to say is, make yourself smile too by looking at these beautiful animals that God gave us. I can't stop crying from tears of happiness," said Roberta Lucero-Koron, creator of the Facebook event page.

People from around the country and as far away as Australia and Dubai are posting pictures of their pets, along with their names, and where they're from.

It began with pictures of dogs—huskies, pit bulls, labs, corgis, Chihuahuas, and pooleys (Lyon's favorite)—but has grown to include all walks of pet life including pot-bellied pigs and lizards.

Many have left their own thoughts, wishes and prayers for Anthony on the Facebook events page.

"Hi Anthony, my name is Toby. I am an Italian greyhound and am 7 years old. I live in New Hampshire with my 6 small humans. They are in the picture with me and we were about to go sledding. Your in our thoughts and prayers and we wish you the best," wrote Facebook user Lisa Currier.

An Arizona State University social media expert attributes the page's success to a winning combination of concepts that tap into human emotion.

In this case, cute animals, a sick teenager and a desire to help, combine to create a viral sensation, said Retha Hill, executive director of the new media, innovation and entrepreneurship lab at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

"People will get involved if they think they can make a difference," she said. "We can't cure children's diseases overnight but we can make this boy smile and it has an immediate impact and outcome."

For Lyons, the outpouring of support is surprising.

"It just kept going and going, it was like, crazy. My mom goes through all the pictures, they all make me smile," he said.

Lyons was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July. It took a few weeks before the reality set in.

But it wasn't all bad news. Doctors told Lyons that the type of leukemia he has is treatable, and with enough time and care, Lyons can get better.

Over the next three years, Lyons will continue to have monthly chemo therapy treatments. In the meantime, he will finish high school, and one day hopes to break into the entertainment industry.

Kristen Lyons, Anthony's mother, is trying to look through all the pictures, leaving comments and liking them if nothing else, she said.

But it's hard to keep up.

"I just want to thank everyone I haven't gotten to yet, I hope I'm able to get to all of them," she said. "Every single one has made us smile."

If you're interested in showing support for Lyons and would like to share your own dog photos, visit "Photo Doggies for Anthony."