After a deadly tornado destroyed parts of Van, Texas, a dog was found amid the wreckage, curled up in the arms of her dead owner, retired police officer David Tapley, with his wife lying close by.

The Great Pyrenees that lost everything in the May 11 tornado has been taken in by a new family, who hopes to rehabilitate the dog, both emotionally and physically.

Her new owner, Michelle Shockley, of Tyler, Texas, said little is known about the dog's history - even the dog's name - but she appears to be about eight years old. Shockley renamed her Emma.

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A Great Pyrenees (pictured) was rescued after a deadly tornado struck her owners' home and killed the couple. She was found in the arms of her dead owner by a 14-year-old neighbor

The dog was taken in by Nicholas Pet Haven and later adopted by Michelle Shockley and her parents, who renamed the dog, whose history is very much unknown, Emma

Emma has a lot of recovering to do, having experienced head trauma and other injuries during the tornado. She burst an eardrum, making her deaf in one ear, and her skin is raw and bruised.

But Shockley, who along with her parents adopted Emma, said the wants to help the dog heal.

'My mom and I agreed that we would set her birthday at her survival date. That is the day her life changed. It helps us honor the lives of her owners that perished in the tornado,' she told Huffington Post. 'Trust me, I cry a lot.'

Emma along with about a dozen other animals who were affected by the tornado were taken in by the group Nicholas Pet Haven - about 20 miles away from Van - after the devastation hit.

Nicholas Pet Haven founder Cindy Nash said that the pets will all be up for adoption and that most of them seem OK. Emma appeared to be affected worst by the event.

'She has the saddest face and is absolutely traumatized,' Nash told Huffington Post. 'You can't help but cry when you look at her and just want to sit and hold and love her.'

Emma was found in the arms of her owner, retired police officer David Tapley (left), with his wife Brenda lying nearby, after the storm. Emma suffered head trauma and a burst ear drum during the storm and was left with raw and bruised skin

Shockley and her parents want to help Emma heal from the emotional and physical injuries she suffered during the violent tornado

Emma was taken in by Shockley as soon as she was legally able to be taken away from the shelter, and Shockley said they had an 'instant connection'.

'I crawled up into the pickup bed and opened the crate and started loving on her,' she said. 'Within a minute, she had come out of the crate and laid in my lap.'

Dr. Gary Spence, of Spence & White Veterinary Hospital in Tyler, Texas said that 'everything' the animals know 'is just gone'.

But having looked over Emma, he believes that with enough time and treatment she will recover.

She has several veterinarian appointments ahead of her primarily to help heal her raw skin.

The dog doesn't have much of an appetite and has been sleeping a lot, only going outside when someone goes with her.

The deadly tornado hit Van, Texas, on May 11, destroying several homes and businesses across the town

About 40 people were injured during the storm. David and Brenda Tapley were the only casualties during the violent storm

Emergency crews said that the tornado caused approximately $40million worth of damage across Van, Texas

Shockley and her parents have another dog, Bentley, who Emma seems to be warming to. She's even begun recognizing her new name.

'She deserves anything she wants,' Shockley said. 'I believe all animals deserve that second chance at finding a happy life.'

Van, Texas, was hit with about $40millon worth of damage after the tornado swept through their town. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in the violent weather, including an elementary school.

More than 40 people were hurt during the event. The Tapleys were the only casualties, according to KXAN. Though Emma survived the storm, the couple's two other dogs did not survive.

The Tapleys ' bodies, along with Emma, were found by a 14-year-old neighbor who lived nearby with his family, according to CBS.