How We Make A Differance

Thank you all for supporting Oliver!

VHR’s new little joy is 9-year-old Corbyn Dick from Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. In November of 2023, Corbyn was the victim of a severe dog attack while playing outside with his siblings. The attack caused devastating injuries, including the loss of a large portion of his right cheek, nose, and upper lip, a broken upper jawbone in two places, the loss of two teeth, 11 bite wounds on his arms, the loss of the top of his right ear, a broken arm in two places, and numerous cuts and bruises. Due to the severity of his injuries, Corbyn was life-flighted to the PICU at OU Children’s Hospital and placed in a medically induced coma for eight days.

Corbyn’s healing journey has required extensive medical care and reconstructive surgeries. He has undergone a split skin graft from the side of his head to his cheek and, on November 24, 2024, had three tissue expanders placed to allow doctors to reconstruct his nose and form a new cheek. Every three weeks, Corbyn travels to OU Children’s Hospital to have fluid added to the expanders, requiring anesthesia each time. Despite these challenges, Corbyn returns to school the very next day. So far, he has endured 12 surgeries and more than 20 visits to the operating room under anesthesia, with more procedures still ahead.

While the expanders on Corbyn’s face are very visible, they are not what truly define him. Corbyn has a loving spirit and a BIG heart. He understands what it feels like to be stared at or hear comments about his appearance, yet instead of responding with anger, he responds with compassion. He often says people are just curious and wondering what he has been through. Being a victim of a dog attack is not his story, but simply one chapter in his big, amazing life. Corbyn enjoys playing video games—especially Roblox—watching gamers on YouTube, fishing, watching movies, and playing basketball and baseball.

Each year, more than two million children are bitten by dogs, most often by a dog they know. Children under the age of 10 are at the highest risk, with injuries commonly occurring to the face, hands, and arms. Dog bites are a leading cause of pediatric emergency department visits, and Oklahoma ranks among the top 20 states for dog bite claims. In 2025 alone, Oklahoma experienced two fatalities from dog attacks, one involving a 6-year-old boy. In addition to Corbyn’s physical recovery, his family has faced challenges finding pediatric trauma counseling due to a nationwide shortage of specialized mental health providers for children. Since the pandemic, the demand for pediatric psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors has far exceeded availability, leaving families struggling to access the care their children need.