When you talk about a hero, you usually think of cartoons or people. In this case, it is Teddy, a mixed-breed dog that is part Poodle and part Schnauzer.
Teddy has become a capeless hero and, at the same time, his owner's therapy dog. It has often been said that dogs are capable of changing people's lives, and Teddy is one of them.
Teddy's Story
Teddy's owner, Andy Szasz, had been in an induced coma for three years. In December 2016, Teddy went to the hospital to help wake his owner from the coma.
It was not a dream but a reality. The five-year-old dog helped wake his owner from a coma. According to The Times, Teddy's barking caused Andy to wake up three days earlier than the doctors had expected.
“After four days of barking at me and giving me kisses on the face, Teddy woke me up, leaving the doctors astonished. He never left my side; he was my guardian angel,” Andy explained in an interview with the BBC.
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Teddy's presence at Southampton General Hospital was a great surprise for the entire medical team, but even more so because of what he had accomplished. Andy was in intensive care after developing pneumonia while battling intestinal cancer since 2012. He was discharged one week after waking up. After Teddy's presence proved so miraculous for Andy, the doctors decided that he should visit the hospital frequently to continue supporting the patient's recovery. He was discharged one week after waking up.
Even months later, Teddy became part of the hospital's medical team in the United Kingdom as a therapy dog. Andy and Teddy are part of the hospital's volunteer team of therapy-dog owners in the United Kingdom.
Hospital patients appreciate Teddy's presence because it gives them a way to relax and enjoy pleasant moments. “It's good to have someone who can distract people. He's adorable,” a patient explained in an interview with the BBC.
Teddy is not the hospital's only therapy dog. At this medical center, many owners volunteer with their dogs to help improve the atmosphere and cheer up patients. One example is Jessie, the Golden Retriever in the photograph above.
What do you think of these types of initiatives? Do you think they should also be introduced in Spain? Tell us about your experience on social media.