LUBBOCK, Texas — When seven-year-old Hunter Wells gets to cuddle his best friend and golden retriever, River, it makes his hospital trips and bouts of sickness a little bit easier. Hunter was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2020. When things seemed to get better, he was re-diagnosed with Leukemia in Nov. 2022.

River has been by Hunter’s side for a few years now and has become his best buddy and therapy dog. So, it was a shock when River suddenly went missing while Hunter was in the hospital last week. The Floydada community came together to look for River while the Wells’ family was worried their dog would be gone forever, especially when they got the call that someone found River dead.

“We were devastated. He’s not replaceable,” Kayla Wells, Hunter’s mom said. “Golden Retrievers are amazing dogs, but there’s not another River.”

Miraculously, River was found. The call about his death ended up being false.

“River got home finally and he just came, and he laid beside him in the bed, and he just rested his little chin on Hunter,” Kayla said.

The family isn’t sure how River went missing, as he’s never run away in the three years they’ve had him. They’re just grateful he’s back to help Hunter through his treatments. River is one of an increasing number of therapy dogs in hospital settings to help soothe patients like Hunter.

“[Hunter] is more at ease whenever River is around him and River knows exactly what Hunter needs, whether it’s to play, whether it’s to cheer him up, whether it’s just to lay with him and be a friend.”

A Facebook page following Hunter’s journey can be found here .

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