Recently, one of the workers at the hospital told Johnson she had been contacted by Karen Riddle, a puppy breeder.

Riddle had explained that one of her white German shepherd puppies had been born without a paw.

She asked if any of the patients at the hospital would like to care for the puppy, which she named Lt. Dan, after the character from Forrest Gump.

Johnson said the hospital employee told her Riddle was looking for an owner who also had different abilities. The employee said she thought Sapphyre and her family would be the perfect fit.

Johnson agreed, and this week the family arrived to meet Lt. Dan.