In a remarkable incident, a four-year-old golden retriever named Polly from County Fermanagh played a crucial role in saving her owner Adam Cooke during a cardiac arrest. On a seemingly ordinary night, Polly’s barking awakened Adam’s wife, Hannah, who found her husband breathing abnormally just before 01:00 GMT. This alarm proved vital, as Adam soon stopped breathing completely.
Heroic Dog’s Bark Saves Owner
After realizing the urgency of the situation, Hannah sprang into action, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until paramedics arrived. Adam, a 37-year-old avid runner, was later diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) after his heart stopped.
A Night of Uncertainty
Hannah recalled a “normal night” before Polly’s intervention. Initially, she thought Adam was choking. However, upon recognizing his lifeless state, she acted quickly. “With a cardiac arrest, everything happens in seconds, and Polly gave me those seconds,” Hannah explained.
Emergency Response and Recovery
During transit to the hospital, paramedics had to use a defibrillator on Adam multiple times. Remarkably, he woke up six days later, leading to an emotional reunion with Polly. “I cried, I was in tears,” Adam shared about their meeting. “It was an emotional moment.”
Recognition and Impact
In recognition of her pivotal role, Adam nominated both Hannah and Polly for the British Heart Foundation’s annual Heart Hero awards. Although Polly couldn’t attend the ceremony in London, she received her CPR medal at her favorite walking spot.
The Importance of CPR Education
Fearghal McKinney from the British Heart Foundation highlighted the critical need for CPR education. He pointed out that over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the UK, with survival rates below 10%. For every minute without intervention, survival chances decrease by up to 10%.
- 40,000 yearly out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK
- Less than 10% of individuals survive these events
- Each minute of delay decreases survival rates by 10%
Role of Dogs in Emergency Situations
Dog behaviorist Louise Glazebrook emphasized the significant capabilities of dogs like Polly. With around 220 million scent receptors, dogs can pick up signals that humans might overlook. “This is incredible that Polly managed to save a life and change the trajectory of that life forever,” she stated.
Adam expressed profound gratitude towards both Hannah and Polly, citing them as heroes in his life. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” he affirmed. Their story serves as a reminder of the bond between pets and their owners, as well as the critical nature of timely medical intervention.
