CAMPBELL COUNTY, VA – A routine pet adoption event in Virginia turned into a life-saving moment when an untrained shelter dog instinctively detected a medical emergency before it happened.
A Sudden Medical Alert
Sienna, a 4-year-old labradoodle-pit bull mix, was among the dozens of animals available at a local adoption event hosted by the Friends of Campbell County Animal Control. While interacting with visitors, the dog suddenly pulled away from the crowd and walked straight over to a stranger.
According to shelter officials, Sienna sat quietly at the man’s feet, refused to move, and gently placed her paw on his leg.
Instincts Over Training
The man was Josh Davis, an individual with epilepsy who had forgotten to take his medication that morning. His wife, Kristen Davis, quickly realized that Josh was showing signs of an approaching myoclonic seizure.
Sienna had absolutely no formal training as a medical service or seizure-alert animal. Family members noted that if the dog hadn’t intervened—allowing Josh to calm down and return home to rest—he was highly likely to suffer a full-on convulsion seizure.
A New Home And Purpose
Sienna was originally found as a stray and was known by shelter volunteers as an incredibly sweet dog. Following her heroic actions, she was adopted by a family in the Roanoke area. The family has two sons, one of whom also lives with epilepsy.
Shelter officials called Sienna a fabulous ambassador for shelter animals and pit bull mixes, which are often unfairly stereotyped or overlooked by potential adopters.
