RALEIGH, N.C. -- Snoopy is a chocolate lab who was hit by a car during the weekend in Fayetteville. Veterinarians at N.C. State said with intensive therapy, Snoopy may walk again.

His owners, the Snider family, put out a call for help because they couldn’t afford the medical bills. The community has stepped up to help, but that doesn’t mean there will be a happy ending.

Dogs aren’t just man’s best friend. They are also special to little boys like Zachary Snider, 5.

He has had a hard year. His dad is in the military and was sent to Iraq, and his dog Snoopy was hit by car during the weekend.

“Snoopy presented with contusions, as well as a spinal cord injury, which we determined to be swelling of the spinal cord,” said small animal intern Scott Hafeman.

Snoopy no longer has control over his hind legs or tail, but doctors believe he might be able to walk again with intensive physical therapy.

There is no magic number as to how long it could take Snoopy to walk again, but doctors at NCSU said his chances are reasonably good.

What is not good, however, is the other injury Snoopy endured. He has neurological damage that means he no longer has control of his bladder or bowel.

From this point forward, his owners will have to empty his urine and give him daily baths.

“That’s a small price to pay to be able to give back to him, what he’s done for me, my family and my kid,” said Julie Snider.

It is the kind of care Julie is used to, as her son Zachary has muscular dystrophy – something that is not only physically challenging, but also socially, because it’s hard for Zachary to make friends.

That’s why Snoopy is so important.

“Snoopy didn’t care if he couldn’t communicate or if he said the right thing,” Julie said.

The bond between the little boy is about to get stronger, as Zachary will see his best friend experience life with a disability he too will one day face as his muscular dystrophy progresses.

“Snoopy has such determination and will power,” said Julie.

The Snider family reached out for help when they realized they could not afford Snoopy’s hospital bills. The entire state has stepped forward to help, sending in donations totaling nearly $12,000 at last count.

Julie said the support is overwhelming.

“This last year has been so hard, and then this happened to Snoopy, and I was like, ‘wow,’ and everyone came together, and I never expected this from anyone,” she said.

She said one woman anonymously donated $5,000. The family said whatever money is leftover will go to charity.