Service dog Tommy saves veteran's life by detecting deadly heart episode

Service dog Tommy saves veteran's life by detecting deadly heart episode

Christina Sanchez
Christina Sanchez
2 Min.
A brown United States War Savings Stamp featuring a man in military uniform holding a gun, with a dog standing beside him, both looking attentive.

Service dog Tommy saves veteran's life by detecting deadly heart episode

A trained service dog named Tommy may have saved the life of a former U.S. Army and Marine veteran. Hank Ford, who struggles with PTSD and heart issues, was woken by his yellow labrador during a dangerous medical episode in February.

Hank Ford received Tommy from Dogs, Inc., a nonprofit that pairs service dogs with veterans and visually impaired individuals. The organisation also plans to train dogs for detecting blood sugar changes in diabetics starting in 2026.

Tommy usually wakes Ford around 7 a.m. each morning. But one February day, the dog barked and pawed at him far earlier than usual. Ford later discovered he was in 'A-fib', a condition causing a rapid, irregular heartbeat. Doctors confirmed that without Tommy's intervention, he could have suffered a massive stroke.

After the incident, Ford spent a night in hospital for shock treatment. Nine months later, he has improved following cardiac ablation and new medication. His recovery comes as Dogs, Inc. continues its work, though public records on how many veterans have benefited from similar PTSD service dogs remain unclear.

Ford's experience highlights how service dogs can detect life-threatening conditions. Tommy's actions led to prompt medical care, preventing a potential stroke. The veteran now manages his health with ongoing treatment and support from his loyal companion.

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