Titania and K-9 honor the superhero spirit inside every child battling illness and injury. The Titania K-9 Fund was launched to share the artwork of former patient Tory Kane in support of the Amerman Family Foundation Dog Therapy Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. An avid animal lover, Tory became an enthusiastic supporter of dog therapy after meeting many amazing dogs of all breeds and sizes at CHLA during her nine-month treatment for a rare tumor. She developed an incredible knack for hearing the distinctive sound of doggie toenails on the hospital floors, and would make sure the arriving dog and volunteer knew they'd be warmly welcomed in her room... preferably, as soon as possible! A talented artist, Tory captured her twin passions for animals and anime in much of her artwork, especially in the creation of characters Titania and K-9. Inspired by the colors of the CHLA butterfly logo, Tory created Titania to symbolize an ordinary child who finds the superhero-like powers of courage and hope to fight illness and injury, with the help of her canine companion, a therapy dog named K-9. When Tory learned she wouldn't survive her cancer, she embraced those qualities of courage and hope and amazed family and friends with her dignity, grace and generosity. She personally requested that any memorial gifts in her honor be directed to the Amerman Family Foundation Dog Therapy Program at CHLA, so that future patients could benefit as she did from the unconditional support of a four-legged friend during difficult hospital stays. Titania and K-9's mission is to increase awareness of and support for dog therapy while honoring the spirited young woman who created them. To learn more about the goals and benefits of dog therapy and CHLA's Amerman Family Foundation Dog Therapy Program, visit the program website at chla.org/dogtherapy
