When Shauna Darcy first got Ruby, she got her as a service dog to help her deal with her anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia. From the very beginning, Ruby proved to be a fantastic service canine and companion– and it was clear there was no limit to Ruby’s dedication.
Shauna said to The Dodo, “While she was educating to be a service dog I saw that she began picking up on changes in my heart rate and would act funny– for example, paw at me, try to get my interest, get on top of me, etc”.
Choosing to listen to Ruby’s cues, Shauna went to see a doctor and quickly discovered that she was experiencing health issues she had not learnt about, including an unusual heart condition called vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Ruby had actually already known something was wrong also prior to Shauna did, and as a service canine, she quickly switched focus to Shauna’s cardiac issues.
Daily, Ruby assists her with points like checking her heart rate and blood pressure, assisting her during panic attacks, as well as retrieving emergency medications. Ruby likewise carries groceries, picks up dropped items and gets things for Shauna that she can not get to. Ruby is even trained in deep stress therapy!
” When I pass out she gets on top of me and applies all her stress on me and licks my hands and face till I come around,” Shauna said.
Ruby is there for her round the clock– even when Shauna does not realize she requires her.
Last week, when Ruby started signaling her that something was wrong, she had no idea why. Shauna was feeling fine however selected to trust Ruby and call an ambulance– simply in case.
” It ends up my heart was going into atrial fibrillation,” she said. “By the time the paramedics came, I was in pain and hardly conscious.”.
As the paramedics rushed her to the hospital, it dawned on her that Ruby had just saved her life.
While Shauna was in the hospital and the doctors worked to stabilize her, Ruby refused to leave her side. Also while she was unconscious, Ruby lay in her hospital bed, pushed up against her, hoping Shauna might sense she was there and that she would feel safe.
Throughout their hospital stay, lots of individuals stopped by to meet Ruby. She’s always very popular whenever she and Shauna go– however constantly sticks near to Shauna’s side, as she loves her so much. And Shauna loves her right back.
Without Ruby, Shauna’s life would be very different. Ruby aids to keep her healthy and safe every day, and Shauna could not be more grateful for Ruby’s love and loyalty.
” I would not be alive without her,” she said.
