Tappi Moments

Couple establish memorial fund  to help support K-State Oncology

Thankful for the exceptional care and treatment their schnauzer Tappi received, Hank and Karen Hidalgo have established the Tappi Hidalgo Fund for Oncology Care within the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.

"We'll never know why Tappi was taken from us so early, but I am extremely thankful to her doctors for allowing us the extra time with her,” Hank said. “I hope other animals can live long and healthy lives because of our gift."

The Hidalgos' local veterinarian in Liberty, Mo. diagnosed Tappi with lymphoma, a malignant tumor of the lymph nodes and other lymphatic structures, in December 1999. Her outlook was bleak. Even with aggressive treatment Tappi was not expected to live another 12 months. After thoroughly researching the disease and investigating different treatment options, the Hidalgos were determined to do anything and everything they could to help Tappi while also ensuring a good quality of life. However, it was particularly difficult and stressful knowing that her condition was terminal.

Initially, an oncology specialist in Kansas City treated Tappi. In June 2000 Tappi and her owners first visited the K-State Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Over the next 10 months, Hank and Karen made the two-hour drive to Manhattan every other week so Drs. Ruthanne Chun, Laura Garrett and Heather Heeb could treat Tappi with chemotherapy. Eventually, the referring veterinarian began to administer some of the treatments. Drs. Chun, Garrett and Heeb not only medically treated Tappi's illness, but they also helped ease the emotional pain of her owners.

"They never lost focus of the human aspect of veterinary medicine,” Hank said. “They spent just as much time helping me as they did Tappi."
On April 20, 2001, Hank called Dr. Chun and told her Tappi wasn't doing well; he didn't think she would survive the trip to K-State. Tappi was taken to her local veterinarian, and it was decided between Dr. Chun, the local veterinarian and the Hidalgos that it was time for euthanasia. Hank and Karen then said their emotional, final goodbyes to Tappi, who was loved and cared for just as any precious child or member of the family. She was just 7 ½ years old.

"Hank and Karen knew that their time with Tappi would be cut short because of her disease, but they were able to make every day with her a positive experience," Dr. Chun said. "I know that a big part of why she lived as long as she did was because of their love and devotion to her. I don't doubt that she enjoyed her time with her family as much as they valued their time with her."

A short while later, while reflecting back on Tappi's life, Hank and Karen were moved to thank everyone who had worked so hard to save Tappi. They drove back to Manhattan to personally thank Tappi's three doctors as well as the students and staff. It was very important for the couple to know they had done everything possible to help Tappi. The doctors very adamantly reassured them they had.

"My wife and I still have what we call 'Tappi Moments.' My eyes still well up with tears when we think about her," Hank said. "I'll call out for her out of habit, and then I’ll realize she's not here. We take our other three schnauzers for car rides so they can stick their heads out the window. Tappi always loved that..."