Rappaport To The Rescue

BIO:

Eleven-year-old Michayla Hopkins of Plainfield, Connecticut has a rare cancer called Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma.

She showed a Vizsla during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Dog Show. The Vizsla is a three-year-old female named Sunny from Southwick Vizslas in Southwick Massachusetts. This is not a junior division event. It’s a rare opportunity for a child to participate in a Best of Breed presentation.

The dog’s breeder says Michayla is not only a strong fighter going through a tough time but also a truly great handler who deserves an opportunity to experience Westminster.

Doctors diagnosed Michayla with ASPS in May of 2025. She was only ten years old. Due to the rarity of this type of sarcoma, treatment is challenging, as it does not respond to traditional chemotherapy. Michayla underwent surgery to remove the initial tumor that had been found within her bicep causing her to lose a large portion of that muscle. Unfortunately, her scans three months later showed the cancer had metastasized. Numerous nodules were found on her lungs. Her oncologist immediately started her on an oral form of TKI therapy, which after three months has shown to be ineffective in stopping the growth. Michayla has now started Immunotherapy IV infusions. 

Michayla started showing dogs when she was just seven years old. Her grandmother introduced her to the sport and she took to it right away. Michayla is the reigning #1 Miniature American Shepherd Jr. Handler.