Search articles from thousands of Examiners
Write for us
Minneapolis Pets Pet Examiner
Pet Examiner

Modern day "Lassie" saves man with 911 call

September 15, 10:16 AMPet ExaminerCathy M. Rosenthal
Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe


Get alerts when there is a new article from the Pet Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.
Email Address


  Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use

Buddy, the German Shepherd, not only can recognize when his companion is having a seizure, he can call for help too. It's the modern day version of Lassie running to save little Timmy in the well.

John Stainaker of Scottsdale, Arizona, was having a severe seizure when his specially-trained German Shepherd, Buddy, picked up the phone and called 911. If you're like me, you may be wondering how Buddy's big old paws punched out 9-1-1 on the telephone. It seems Chihuahua paws might be better suited for such a task.

But
the phone is designed so that if you hold down a button for more than three seconds, it automatically dispatches to the 911 operator. Buddy's teeth pressed down on the buttons and then he whimpered and whined to let the person on the other end know his companion needed help. All 911 operators are required to dispatch emergency personnel when called, even if they can't hear anyone on the other end of the line but a dog.

Stainaker got Buddy when he was eight-weeks-old from Paws for a Cause, an organization that trains assistance dogs nationally for people with disabilities. He said he helped train the dog to call 911 in case of one of his seizures.

 

Good boy Buddy. Really good boy. 

 

More About: Dogs · Pets

Add a Comment

Name:


Comments:
characters left

NOTE: Do Not Alter These Fields:

Holiday Guide
Examiners spread the seasonal cheer with the Examiner.com Holiday Guide.

Recent Articles

Friday, October 3, 2008
It's a myth to think that most pets end up at shelters because they have behavior problems. The truth is, most pets are turned into shelters because …
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
1. October is Adopt a Shelter Dog month, which means many animal shelters around the country are offering special adoption rates, especially on older …

Things to see and do

Annual Landmark Holiday Bazaar
04 Dec 2009 - 10 am
Landmark Center
More special event »
Holiday Lights Tours
Mall of America
Super Science Saturday
Bakken Library and Museum of Electricity in Life, The