Dog’s Incredible Instinct Prevents Seizure at Local Event

14 hours ago 4

A quiet adoption event in Virginia became unforgettable after a shelter dog named Sienna took it upon herself to help a stranger in distress. The 4-year-old labradoodle-pit bull mix, who had once wandered the streets as a stray, revealed just how extraordinary she was when she sensed a medical emergency that no one else could see coming.

The event, hosted at a local church, featured numerous pets from Friends of Campbell County Animal Control in Rustburg, all hoping to find their forever homes. Sienna, known for her calm nature and gentle spirit, had been meeting attendees like any other dog. But what she did next would leave everyone stunned.

Without being prompted, Sienna suddenly walked away from the group and approached a man she had never met. She quietly sat at his feet, gently placed her paw on his leg, and refused to move. According to a Facebook post from the shelter, it wasn’t a trick or a trained gesture — it was pure instinct.

Moments later, the man’s wife, Kristen Davis, realized what was happening. Her husband, Josh Davis, who lives with epilepsy, was showing the earliest signs of a myoclonic seizure. He had missed his medication that morning, and without intervention, a more serious convulsive seizure could have followed. Thanks to Sienna’s intuition, Kristen was able to get him home quickly, where he rested and recovered safely.

Josh later told The Washington Post that Sienna had picked up on his symptoms before he or anyone else did. While he wears a vagus nerve stimulator to help control seizures, the warning came just in time.

The most remarkable part? Sienna wasn’t trained as a service dog. She had no seizure-detection training. Shelter director Barbe Shackelford confirmed that while Sienna was house-trained and had raised litters, she had no background in medical support or therapy work.

What Sienna had was heart and instinct — and those were enough to save someone’s day, maybe even their life.

Although the Davis family wasn’t able to adopt her due to already owning three dogs, Sienna’s story captured national attention. Applications to adopt her poured in. She eventually found a new home with a Roanoke family whose son also has epilepsy. Sienna bonded immediately and hasn’t left his side since.