Customer Stories
Our customers make discoveries possible. Hear directly from Embark customers about how DNA testing helped shape the care of their dogs and read heartwarming relative reunion stories.
Taki, the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Distillery Dog
Photo credit: Hope Perkins Meet Taki, a distillery dog, former co-woofer, and beloved rescue at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. We are so excited to get to know Taki, one of the first dogs at Tito’s to test with Embark! Tito’s and Embark have a long history together. Since 2015, the Austin-based vodka company has supported our...
Margie Finds “New Life” With Her Wheels
When Portland, OR dog owner Cierra Steele saw that her dog Margie’s hind legs were failing, she knew exactly why. Cierra adopted Margie in June 2022. Due to Margie’s distinctive coat pattern, Cierra suspected there was some Australian Shepherd in her breed mix. She decided to find out for sure with an Embark Breed +...
Rex’s Breed Reveal
After tragic events in his early years, including a gunshot wound and a car accident, young puppy Rex was near death. Thanks to a kind-hearted volunteer, he survived. He now lives in California and leads a full and happy life with his adoptive family. Rex took an Embark Dog DNA Test to find out what...
Rescued Dog Sugar Snap Makes Miraculous Recovery
When Sugar Snap arrived at One Tail at a Time (OTAT) in Chicago, he was near death. At just 19 pounds, Sugar Snap was so emaciated he could barely lift his head. But he quickly won over the entire staff, regained his strength with their help, and was adopted by one of the emergency vet...
Brothers Rowan + Milo Reunite Through Embark
Rowan (formerly known as Clarence) arrived at Muddy Paws Rescue in New York as a young puppy in the fall of 2023. Muddy Paws used one of their donated Embark Dog DNA Tests to help match him with the perfect family. They were in for a surprise. This fluffy puppy not only had a shocking...
Goudacris Beats Heartworm and Finds His Chicago Family
A Chicago-based animal rescue recently helped a sweet, silly, mixed-breed dog named Goudacris survive a months-long battle with heartworm. One Tail at a Time took in this 82-pound gentle giant more than six months ago from a shelter in Tennessee. In a true underdog story, Goudacris made a full recovery from this serious disease, took...
“Bundle of Joy” Bamm-Bamm Finds His Home
At just four months old, little Bamm-Bamm shares a few similarities with his namesake, Bamm-Bamm Rubble from The Flintstones. They’re both strong for their age and they were both adopted by loving parents. “As soon as we laid eyes on him, we knew he was our guy,” say Patrick and Kendra, Bamm-Bamm’s adoptive parents. “He...
Lieutenant Dan is One in a Million
Lieutenant Dan (Lt. Dan) was found on the side of the road in North Carolina in May 2017. Named after the character Lieutenant Dan Taylor from the film Forrest Gump, Lt. Dan the dog is paralyzed in both hind legs. But that doesn’t stop him from running and playing with the help of his wheelchair....
Vardis Reunites With His Long-Lost Sister, Brunch
Vardis, a sweet-faced rescue pup, had spent most of his life in shelters and foster homes as he waited for his forever family. Along the way, with the help of an Embark dog DNA test, Vardis reunited with a special someone—his long-lost sister, Brunch. Their heartwarming reunion story appeared in The Dodo, People, and The...
How Restoring Rave’s Gut Health Helped Her Love Mealtime
Most dogs love their food. So when puppy Rave refused to eat, Liz Burke was worried. Liz has three dogs: Rave, a three-year-old Border Collie; Wasabi, a two-year-old Border Collie; and Bishop, a nine-year-old mixed-breed dog. Liz’s family includes three domestic shorthair cats: Cyril Figgis, Archer, and Owen. After years of trying new diets—none of...
How Dog DNA Testing Helps Willie Nelson Prevent Kidney Stones
When Julana and her husband adopted Willie Nelson, they suspected he was 100% German Shepherd Dog, due to his black and tan coat pattern. But as he got older, they noticed that his size was smaller than they expected for a German Shepherd. They decided to use an Embark dog DNA test to find out...
How a Dog DNA Test Helped Save Molly’s Life
When she brought Molly to the veterinarian for a regular physical exam, Sue Benner didn’t expect to find a genetic health risk. That surprise finding may have saved Molly’s life. Sue took Molly, her 4-month old purebred Keeshond puppy, to see Dr. Sharon Minninger at Telford Veterinary Hospital in Souderton, Pennsylvania for a physical examination...
