Question
Is it possible to save a young tree (trunk diameter about 1 inch) after an animal has stripped bark from one side?  It stripped about 12 to 20 inches down the one side.  

Answer
A tree that small with a considerable amount of bark stripped off will have about a 50/50 chance. I would cut the loose bark off and seal the wound with grafting wax. Check with your local nursery for grafting wax. The wax will help hold moisture and also prevent fungi from entering the wound. Then you will just have to wait and see how it dose next spring and summer. If it survives the first year it will be ok.