(WMC-TV) - More than 60 percent of American households include at least one pet, and for many of us they are more like family than a four-legged friend.

Eight-year-old Sadie suffers from debilitating arthritis. To owners Greg and Marsha James, she is a miracle dog.

"She's my little girl, she's my baby," said owner Marsha. "I didn't know if we could do anything and what we could do, I thought we were gonna lose her."

Last year she could not even walk, but a scientific breakthrough using her own stem cells put the pep back in her step.

"Stem cell is used to treat chronic arthritic conditions," said Dr. Kathy Mitchener, DVM at Angel Care Center for Pets.

Dr. Kathy Mitchener removed a few ounces of fat from Sadie's tummy; a lab extracted the stem cells, which were then re-injected into her trouble spots.

"If there's joint destruction, if there's changes in metabolism then they change themselves and multiply to help address those issues," said Mitchener.

Stem cell treatment proves to be just one of many medical miracles at the Angel Care Cancer Center for Pets in Bartlett.

Take Rylee for example. The 2-year-old golden retriever has an unusual type of lymphoma.

"Riley was very young, and that's very , very frightening to have such a devastating disease," said Mitchener.

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Stem cell treatment, other breakthroughs giving pets longer, healthier lives