A Legacy Stitched with Love

Not every superhero wears a cape — some wear a red bandana, stitched with courage and signed with love.

When George and Tina Skestos founded the bandana program for The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center’s Oncology Service in 1985, they couldn’t have imagined the lasting impact it would have on patients, families and caregivers alike.

Longtime dog lovers and founders of Gigi’s, a nonprofit shelter focused on giving dogs in rural communities access to high-quality care; the Skestos family has spent years making a difference in the lives of animals. But their motivation to give back to Ohio State was deeply personal.

Their beloved white Akita, Tagato, was experiencing frequent seizures when he was referred to Ohio State’s Neurology Service decades ago. The diagnosis: nasal carcinoma.  

At the time, Ohio State didn’t have the resources to treat advanced cancer cases, so the team placed a chemotherapy port and referred Tagato to Colorado State University (CSU) for continued treatment.

When Tagato arrived at CSU, their veterinary staff had never seen a treatment port like the one placed. So impressed by what they had observed, they sent a team to Ohio State to learn this innovative new technique.  

After completing his treatments at CSU, Tagato walked out wearing a blue bandana — a simple gesture that made a profound impact.

“He came prancing down the hall with his bandana on,” Tina Skestos recalls. “I was overwhelmed with joy and comfort seeing him overcome this illness. In that moment, I knew I wanted to bring the bandana idea back to Ohio State.”

For forty years now, every red bandana given at the Veterinary Medical Center marks a pet’s graduation from cancer treatment. Signed by the care team, it’s a symbol of resilience, love and healing.  

“I wanted owners to feel the same hope and relief I felt when I saw Tagato in his bandana,” she said. “Dogs are our most loyal, loving companions – they’re irreplaceable. Offering that kind of comfort to families means everything to us.”

For Brian Skock, RVT, a veterinary technician in the Oncology Service, the tradition is just as meaningful for the care team.

“We often spend months treating cancer patients and forming very close bonds,” Skock said. “Presenting a bandana to a patient when graduating from their treatment plan is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work.”

Every red bandana is more than a keepsake — it celebrates the courage of our patients, the compassion of our team, and the generosity of donors like the Skestos family who make programs like this possible.