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1 inside this issue What Every Great Pet Parent Knows
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The Science of Sky-High Slumber
Gentle Ways to Soothe an Anxious Dog or Cat
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The Lifesaving Power of Routine Blood Tests for Pets
New SCVC Policies
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The Barking That Saved a Life
BARKING AT THE RIGHT MOMENT The Dog That Saved a Veteran From a Stroke NC aenwc eAl l aptpi ooni nPt mo leinc yt When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
When Hank Ford ended his service with the U.S. Army and Marines, he felt completely alone. The veteran had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and struggled to trust people. But dogs were a different story. When he received his service dog, a yellow Labrador named Tommy, he gained a steadfast companion who made each day a little less scary. “Used to be, I walk into a place, and I’m looking for exits,” Ford said in an interview. “I’m watching everybody. I’m just not trusting anything that’s going on, and with him, all that seems to have gone away.”
soon as Hank stood up, he felt it too. His heart was pounding so hard he could feel it, and when he checked his blood pressure, he was shocked at the number. Hank wasted no time driving himself to the hospital, and it was only then that he realized how crucial his dog’s fast thinking really was. The doctor informed him he was experiencing an A-fib or irregular heartbeat. Left untreated, it could lead to life-altering or deadly strokes. “They told me, had he not woken me up, I could have had a major stroke in bed, or not woken up at all,” he said. “He saved my life.” Hank received treatment, and in the months since the incident, he’s been feeling more like himself. The veteran was incredibly thankful to Dog, Inc., the nonprofit that trained and provided Tommy to assist with his day-to-day mental health needs. Though the Lab was well-trained to handle his owner’s PTSD, Dog, Inc. said his life-saving action went above and beyond.
Though his four-legged friend had brought so much relief and calm to his life, he never expected Tommy would actually save his life. The pup prevented a massive stroke that could have had dire consequences. Early one morning, Tommy broke all of his usual routines, barking at Hank at an odd time while the veteran snoozed. He was persistent, using his voice like never before and pawing at Hank’s chest until he arose. Clearly, Tommy sensed something was wrong, and as
Tommy’s feat proves just how close the bond between a service dog and their human really is.
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