"Felt her paw": Therapy dog ​​wakes woman from coma in Florida hospital

Priscilla Timmons was in an artificial coma for over 24 hours. Now the woman recounts what she experienced during those hours – and the special way she woke up. According to the Tampa Bay Times, she was at Memorial Hospital West in the US state of Florida. She had a less than ten percent chance of survival.

She was admitted there after collapsing in March. She suffered a severe pulmonary embolism and three cardiac arrests . Priscilla was resuscitated for 41 minutes. This resulted in multiple organ failure and dialysis, among other things. She is now able to lead a normal life again.

This happy ending also included a Golden Retriever named Scrunchie. The therapy dog ​​was brought to her bedside. When he poked her finger, the then 38-year-old reached out for him. Her cousin, Kandi Barnwell, told the Tampa Bay Times about the moment: "Scrunchie came in, walked over to her bedside, and that's when I first saw Priscilla moving her hands and petting Scrunchie."

Priscilla explains that, among other things, she could hear her family praying while in a coma. She also says, "I remember everyone telling me she was there. Then I felt her paw and was able to move my fingers and lift my hand from the bed."

The hospital has a therapy dog ​​program. The Memorial Healthcare System website states: "Our specially trained therapy dogs create a powerful healing environment that motivates and encourages our patients to achieve their goals." In August, an Instagram post dedicated to Scrunchie was dedicated to her seventh birthday and "Assisted Therapy Dog Day."