A Paralyzed Puppy’s Path to Love, Healing, and a Forever Home

Meet Coffee Bean, the paralyzed wonder dog.

Personal Injury Attorney Elizabeth Van Erem is fostering Coffee Bean, a paralyzed pup, after first seeing a Facebook post about him posted by the Great Plains SPCA. Elizabeth and her husband Bryce were vetted by the animal shelter, having successfully fostered a one-year-old “mama” who had been abandoned with her puppies. “We sobbed when she got adopted.” That’s the price you pay for loving a pet and getting their unconditional love.

Coffee Bean loves affection, both giving and receiving.

The Van Erem home has two other dogs and said that they both get along great with Coffee Bean. “Coffee Bean LOVES his friends here.” Liz has six kids, ages 6, 8, 10,14, 15, and 17. Needless to say, Coffee Bean is quickly getting socialized and seems to be thriving in the highly active household.

Liz said that the first days were VERY difficult, saying she called the shelter several times crying worried that she was going to fail him. They coached her to stick with it for 3 days, 3 weeks, then 3 months. That allowed her to see progress and to develop faith that she was providing the support he needed to thrive. She said one of the most challenging things was to be creative about making it easier for him to get around.

Liz said, “Coffee Bean is mostly a normal dog; he loves to play outside, loves treats, loves to snuggle and even knows when it’s time to get his wheelchair on for exercise.”

Coffee Bean, the name given to him when he first received care by the Great Plains SPCA, had a “ruff” first four months of life. In fact, his owner was found to be criminally responsible for injuries that left Coffee Bean’s back-half mostly paralyzed.

Fox 4 joined in to help Coffee Bean find his forever home.

April 25, 2025 Fox 4 Broadcast Transcript  PLAY VIDEO

A shelter’s dog and his foster family are hoping to soon find a forever home. One-year-old Coffee Bean is a great dog, but he got a rough start to life. He suffered severe spinal trauma at the hands of his previous owner; that owner later convicted of animal cruelty. Fox 4’s Shannon Rousseau introduces us to Coffee Bean.

Shannon Rousseau: Coffee Bean has been living with a foster family now for quite some time. Despite a lot of posts on social media posts to find the right family, so far no one has stepped up.

Wheeling around in his custom ride, Coffee Bean is always on the go.

Great Plains SPCA spokesperson Tam Singer said, “He’s very fast in his wheelchair but he’s just a very happy puppy. He has been available for adoption for nearly a year, but so far, no takers.”

Shannon Rousseau: His story has been a fixture on the Great Plains SPCA’s social media pages.

Elizabeth Van Erem and her family have a big heart for pets.

After surviving horrific abuse, that left him partially paralyzed when he was just four months old. Coffee Bean now undergoes bi-weekly physical therapy.

Great Plains SPCA spokesperson Tam Singer said, ”He does the hydro stuff, so you see him with his little feet paddling and he’s just really building his strength.” And that’s something he’ll need to continue for at least the next six months. Not only that, but he wears a diaper since he can’t control his bowels or bladder. That means that his future family needs to be patient and compassionate.

KMBC News Coverage helping Coffee Bean find his forever home.

“Ideally someone who is able to work from home would be great to give him that kind of interaction and stuff, and the ability to use his chair and get out.”

Tam Singer with Great Plains said veterinarians aren’t quite sure what kind of abuse he suffered. But, despite his past, he’s an extremely happy dog who is willing to spoil any family with love and affection.

If you think you are the right fit for Coffee Bean and can handle all of his needs Great Plains SPCA wants to hear from you as soon as possible. Their number is 913-831-7722.

KMBC News also did a piece on Coffee Bean. PLAY VIDEO

Liz’s other dogs were curious about Coffee Bean and his fancy wheels when they first met.