Victorious Vickie and Napoleon III are participating in DogFest because we love dogs, and we believe in Canine Companions for Independence® and their mission to provide expertly trained assistance dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities FREE of charge. 

Victorious Vickie's furry friend and I will join other dogs and their owners for a day of fun and festivities for dogs and humans. Plus, we'll hear from Caine Companions graduates and how their dogs have changed their lives. 

Leading up to the event, I am raising money to support Canine Companions. The impact these dogs make on the lives of people with disabilities is incredible. Help me get to my fundraising goal by donation online so we can get more of these amazing Canine Companions assistance dogs into the lives of these who need them. 

Join us on October 17th in The Presidio San Francisco from 12-4pm. 

This past year we lost our HERO - Uncle Paul Savage!  Napoleon and Uncle Paul were best friends.  Paul loved dogs and Napoleon loved Paul.  Paul moved in with us in November 2024 and walked Napoleon every evening to give us a much needed caregiver break!  Paul was diagnosed with Interstial Lung Disease at UCSF and passed away with us June 28th, 2025.  We miss him dearly.   After he passed away Napoleon jumped on the bed and put his head on his chest. 

Our Story:

On May 11, 2013 (Mother's Day) Vickie suffered a Double Brain Aneurysm in Vallejo, California. She was out with a friend when she had a massive headache and told her friend to take her to the ER right away. On the way to the ER she had mulitple seizures. Sutter Solano medevaced us (Angela + Vickie) to Eden Medical Hospital in Hayward where she stayed in the ICU for 6 weeks (she had brain surgery 9 coils and 1 stent, was on a trach and feeding tube), then Acute Rehab at Queen of the Valley in Napa for 4 weeks (they removed her feeding tube and did intensive acute rehabilitation, then Kindred Concord for 3 months, and then in October 2013 she moved in with her daughter (Angela) and son-in-law (Jason) in San Francisco. She has lived with them for 11 years and loves San Francisco. She is learning to walk again with the help of her furry friend, Napoleon. 

In 2018 she started learning to walk again after 6+ years in a wheelchair! She started talking in 2017 after being non-verbal for 3.7 years! UCSF Neurology Team thinks Vickie is a walking and talking miracle.  We are so thankful she survived and it has been a blessing to see her recover from year to year.  She is a walking and talking MIRACLE!

In January 2020 Vickie and Angela (her daughter) graduated from Canine Companion for Independece and received our 1st Canine Companion - Napoleon III!  He is an amazing service dog to Victorious Vickie.  Napoleon brings Vickie her slippers every morning, picks up dropped items from the floor, pushes the ADA buttons all over San Francisc, supports her in Neuro Physical Therapy, connects her to people, and makes her very happy.  She is truly blessed to have him as her canine companion.  Napoleon is obsessed with TUG, playing soccer, the beach, chasing ball, picnics in Golden Gate Park, and loves people!

Love Conquers, Vickie, Napoleon III, Angela, Jason

Vickie started walking in 2019 (after 6+ years in a wheelchair) and talking (after 3.7 years of being non-verbal)! 

https://youtu.be/s2a8BCgoT04

Vickie walks SOLO for the first time - no cane needed!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8BG9adgAnfA

VICKIE TALKS FOR THE FIRST TIME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dt5YROab1M

12th Anniversary at the TAAF Annual Aneurysm Walk

VICTORIOUS VICKIE'S 12th ANNIVERSARY!'s fundraising page for The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation