Radiation oncology technicians Maria Ransone,
Megan Reyes, and Dr. Marilia Takada pose with
Murphy during one of his treatment sessions at the
UF Small Animal Hospital. (Photy by Nate Guidry)

Nearly 10 months after traveling nearly 4,000 miles from Anchorage, Alaska to Gainesville, where he received radiation therapy for bladder cancer, Murphy, a 100-pound Newfoundland-retriever mix, is doing well, his family reports.

After being deemed a good candidate for the therapy last October, Murphy proceeded to receive three weeks of radiation therapy at UF’s Small Animal Hospital, under the direction of Marilia Takada, D.V.M., chief of the radiation oncology service. For several weeks after he returned home to Anchorage, Murphy continued his treatment with chemotherapy, which Takada often recommends in addition to radiation therapy for the best possible outcome.

Murphy, a Newfoundland-retriever mix from Alaska, back home in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy of Jason Graham)

“Thankfully, Murphy’s tumor was very small, and we were able to target it very effectively,” Takada said.

Murphy’s owners, Jessica and Jason Graham, said he has returned fully to his normal routines and is enjoying the summer months, during which several of the Graham daughters have been home from school and spending quality time with him.

“We’re so grateful for the care Murphy received at UF and look forward to spending a lot more time with him,” said Jason Graham.