500 Shelter Dogs Come Together to Inspire: The Heartwarming Collage at Ryan Veterinary Hospital!

At Ryan Veterinary Hospital, located on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus, a poignant piece of art in the lobby is catching the attention of pet owners, clinicians, and students alike. The photo collage titled Fantine, created by artist Emma Frayssignes and donated by the Richard Lichter Charity for Dogs, features nearly 500 faces of shelter dogs that were once invisible, overlooked, and left without hope. Now immortalized in this stunning work, these dogs represent resilience, care, and a second chance at life.

A Glimpse at the Invisible

From a distance, the collage appears to be a striking impressionistic depiction of a golden retriever. However, as viewers approach, a deeper and more powerful story unfolds. Up close, the collage reveals the faces of hundreds of individual dogs—dogs who, despite their challenges, found a new lease on life at Penn Vet’s Shelter Medicine Program.

The symbolism is powerful: Fantine not only highlights the individual stories of these dogs but also speaks to their once-invisible status. As the description of the artwork notes, "These unknown dogs are invisible, unnoticed unless you come close and look." It’s a sentiment that resonates with the hospital’s staff and the patients they serve.

“This piece serves as a reminder that, just like these dogs, many animals are often overlooked—until someone takes the time to see them up close and truly notice their worth,” says Hyemi Sevening, associate dean of institutional advancement at Penn Vet. “It’s not just art; it’s a symbol of the compassion we extend to every animal that comes through our doors.”

The Lifesaving Work Behind the Collage

The Fantine collage is more than just a beautiful work of art; it represents the life-saving work that the Richard Lichter Charity for Dogs enables at the university. Founded by Richard Lichter, the charity is dedicated to funding care for shelter dogs with complicated medical conditions that exceed the resources available at typical shelters. Without this intervention, many of these dogs would not survive, as their injuries or illnesses are too severe for shelters to handle.

Lichter, who serves on Penn Vet’s board of advisors, shares that the conditions of these dogs are diverse: “A lot of them had broken bones, through a car accident or some other sort of accident. There’s been hip dysplasia, cruelty cases, and sadly, many parvovirus cases.”

These are just some of the faces captured in Fantine—dogs that would not be alive today if it weren't for the intervention they received at Ryan Veterinary Hospital. Lichter himself knows this firsthand, having witnessed the care provided to his beloved golden retriever, Fantine, who passed away in 2022 after battling osteosarcoma. Fantine, the dog, was treated at Ryan Hospital before her passing, and the collage is a tribute to her as well as the other dogs saved by the Penn Vet Shelter Medicine Program.

Art with a Purpose: A Heartfelt Legacy

The inspiration for the Fantine collage came from Brazilian artist Vik Muniz, known for his ability to recreate famous artworks using found objects and unusual materials. Lichter, inspired by Muniz’s work, decided to reimagine the faces of these shelter dogs, giving them new life through art.

For Lichter, the donation of this piece is an uplifting way to honor the work of Ryan Hospital and the team’s dedication to animal welfare. “I think it’s very uplifting,” he says. “Those dogs would not be alive, most of them, if it weren’t for Ryan Hospital because they all went through specialty treatment.”

This piece serves as a tribute to the often-overlooked dogs who are given a second chance at life through the compassionate care provided at Penn Vet. And it’s also a reminder to pet owners, clinicians, and veterinary students about the importance of noticing the invisible—the dogs and animals in need who deserve attention, care, and a brighter future.

Visible and Inspirational Impact

The Fantine collage is strategically placed in the lobby of Ryan Veterinary Hospital, where it can be seen by all who enter. This location was chosen intentionally to ensure the piece’s impact is felt by everyone, from pet owners facing difficult decisions about their pets’ care to the clinicians and students who dedicate their careers to improving the lives of animals.

“Having this collage in a central, visible location is incredibly meaningful,” says Sevening. “It’s inspirational for everyone who walks through these doors, reminding us all of the lives we impact every day.”

As visitors come and go, the collage continues to tell the story of the 500 dogs it represents. The art, like the dogs themselves, is a testament to resilience, survival, and the power of compassion. And as each day passes, Fantine serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most invisible lives deserve the most attention.