As a story dog, Lucja is a regular at Mandurah schools and libraries.
But a cancerous lump found in her leg has put her therapy work on pause, which has left owner Daleen Heyneke devastated.
"Six months ago they started to do biopsies on the leg and as soon as they took the biopsy that's when everything started to just go downhill," Daleen's close friend Sonja Swart said.
"Daleen is devastated and she's very upset because Lucja used to be a show dog as well."
With the only two options being euthanasia or amputation, Daleen chose the latter. But her mouth dropped when she saw how expensive it would be.
"She chose amputation, as there are so many kids already attached to Lucja and responding well but it comes with a dear price," Ms Swart said.
"Lucja is in surgery again because the wound has inflammation and started oozing so it will probably cost more now."
With the owner having to get a loan to pay for the amputation, Ms Swart is pleading with the community to donate money towards Lucja's operations.
"If the funds can't be raised Daleen will just be in debt because she has less hours to work to pay it off - financially it's not going well," she said.
"Just to be able to pay that off would be a huge burden off her shoulders and it would mean the world to her.
"Any form of donation would be highly appreciated - you're not only supporting this family, you are impacting so many more."
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Daleen and Lucja are hoping to return to the Story Dogs program in February if "all goes well".
To help pay for Lucja's surgery visit, Save Lucja.
