Shelter dog warns man of pending seizure during adoption event.

At a recent adoption event in Rustburg, Virginia, a three-year-old Labrador and pit bull mix named Sienna displayed extraordinary behavior that would ultimately lead to an unexpected yet profound outcome. The event took place during a church yard sale and featured multiple booths with various vendors. As potential adopters milled about, Sienna moved among them, greeting attendees until she locked eyes with a man, who had not been previously acquainted with her.

Volunteer Jackie Poppe, representing Friends of Campbell County Animal Control, recounted how Sienna exhibited unusual enthusiasm, tugging on her leash to approach the man. Despite Poppe’s attempts to redirect the dog, Sienna remained resolutely by the man’s side. This man, identified as Josh Davis, was exhibiting signs of a possible seizure, characterized by a state of imbalance and fluttering eyes. His wife, Kristen Davis, recognized the alarming signs, noting that Josh had forgotten to take his medication that morning, which is critical for managing his epilepsy.

At 46 years old and standing at 6 feet 9 inches, Josh Davis was particularly vulnerable should a seizure occur in a crowded space. Kristen expressed her concern, stating that they lived nearby and took him home to rest and administer his medication. Remarkably, Josh managed to evade a full seizure that day, likely aided by a vagus nerve stimulator—a device implanted in his chest designed to mitigate seizures.

Sienna, who was previously a stray found on the streets of Altavista, Virginia, had no formal training in seizure detection. However, scientific studies indicate that both trained and untrained dogs can perceive impending seizures through their acute sense of smell. Poppe noted that the shelter staff recognized Sienna’s affectionate nature but were unaware of her potential ability to detect seizures.

The event had critical ramifications for Sienna’s future. After a post detailing her instinctive actions went viral on social media, a wave of adoption requests followed. Many applicants had relatives with epilepsy, but most owned cats, which would not have been an ideal environment for Sienna.

Among the applications, Shannon Sweeney’s stood out. She had already expressed interest in Sienna prior to the seizure incident, drawn to her resemblance to her late dog. Shannon’s son Ransom has epilepsy, though he has not had a seizure in several years. The timing of Sienna’s remarkable actions resonated deeply with Shannon, especially as her family was navigating their own grief from the loss of a pet.

On June 13, the Sweeney family welcomed Sienna into their home, where the dog quickly adapted and established a bond with Ransom. Shannon described Sienna as a source of comfort, noting that the dog is now an integral member of their family, helping to heal emotional wounds and bringing new joy to their lives.