The Healing Power of Dan Dee

Dan Dee isn’t just a horse  — he’s a healer, a friend and a fighter. The striking Appaloosa has captured the hearts of many, especially Ashley Marlowe, MD, who immediately bonded with Dan Dee.

During her first lesson back, after nearly 30 years away from the saddle while pursuing medical school and building her surgical practice, she met Dan Dee. He was not the horse her trainer typically used, but something told her to choose him. She adopted him shortly afterward, knowing he had cancer in his right eye. 

Dan Dee’s eye was removed in 2019, and for years, he thrived — offering trail rides, comfort and connection to everyone he met.  

But in early 2025, things changed. Marlowe noticed subtle swelling around his eye socket. A visit to North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital confirmed a difficult diagnosis: a late recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma — a skin cancer that often affects areas with little pigmentation, like the eyelids. Treatment options were limited, and the decision was critical.  

As a surgeon, Marlowe turned to data, outcomes and reputation. Two veterinary hospitals, Auburn University and The Ohio State University, offered external-beam radiation therapy for recurrent equine head cancer. She chose Ohio State.  

Transporting Dan Dee from their home in coastal North Carolina to Columbus, Ohio, was no small task, especially since she couldn’t be with him during treatment due to the demands of her medical practice. 

Though apart, Marlowe stayed informed thanks to daily updates from the equine surgery and radiation teams. Over four weeks, Dan Dee received 12 radiation treatments. His care team celebrated his final day with a carrot cake, a party hat, and an oncology bandana.

Now back home in North Carolina, Dan Dee enjoys pasture time, grooming, and trail rides. His tumor is shrinking, and a follow-up CT is planned with a hopeful prognosis.

“I cannot say enough good things about the team at Ohio State. As a physician, I value both excellent care and a compassionate bedside manner,” says Marlowe. “The veterinarians, residents, and students at Galbreath — especially Dr. Margaret Mudge and team — treated Dan Dee with love and respect, as if he were their own. From baby carrots to a party in his honor, they made his four-week treatment journey feel personal. My family is forever grateful."