Meet Champ, the disabled dog who sensed trouble and saved his owner's life

It's well-known that dogs are man's best friend, but recently, one dog took this bond to heroic heights by saving its owner's life during a heart attack. "Camp saved my life, and I am eternally grateful," Andrew Kuzyk from Georgia told Newsweek, recounting how his loyal dog alerted others when he suffered a sudden heart attack.

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Andrew Kuzyk from Georgia shared his story with Newsweek, stating, "My health has not been good, and I was already disabled before the heart attack. But the heart attack came out of the blue."

One day, while watching TV with his two-legged rescue dog Champ on his lap, Kuzyk felt something was wrong.?

"I felt my chest tighten, and Champ, sensing something was off, lay on my chest, whimpering more as the pain increased," he recalled.

Andrew Kuzyk with his dog, Champ/ Newsweek

Champ's unusual behavior prompted Kuzyk's wife to call an ambulance immediately.?

This quick response was vital in saving Kuzyk's life. During his medical emergency, Andrew's heart stopped twice during open-heart surgery.?

"Champ's ability to detect the heart attack simply came out of the blue," said Kuzyk.?

Although not trained for emergencies, Champ's instincts and strong bond with Kuzyk helped him sense the crisis.

Dogs have heightened senses and can detect various health issues, including emotions, illnesses, and changes in physiological states. However, medical alert dogs, like cardiac alert dogs, require intensive training.?

According to Service Dog Training School International (SDTSI), a cardiac service dog is trained to detect changes in heart rate and blood pressure and will alert their handlers by pawing, nudging, or barking when an event occurs.

Champ, who is two years old, faces his own challenges. Born without his front paws, he spends much of his time on his hind legs. His owners previously tried to fundraise for a wheelchair for him but were unsuccessful.

Champ/ Newsweek

Now recovering well from his heart attack, Kuzyk feels his bond with Champ has grown even stronger. "The bottom line is Champ saved my life from certain death. Champ and I have a bond that will last all our lives," Kuzyk said.

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