Doctors Gave Her 10% Chance—Then a Therapy Dog’s Visit Changed Everything in the ICU
A therapy dog’s loving touch helped spark a remarkable recovery when hope felt lost
When Priscilla lay in a coma, a hospital therapy dog named Scrunchie padded into the room — and the pup’s gentle gifts unlocked unexpected healing! Here, she shares her story with Woman’s World.
Priscilla Timmons was at her mom’s house playing with her chihuahua, Rocky, when she suddenly felt sick. She rushed to the bathroom and collapsed. She tried to call out but couldn’t.
“Mom, I’m sick!” she texted. “Please call 911!”
At the ER, doctors discovered blood clots from a recent ankle injury had dislodged. “We’ll have to remove them,” the doctor said. During surgery, Priscilla’s heart stopped. The team revived her, but it happened again and then a third time.
By morning, Priscilla was in a coma. Her liver and kidneys were failing, and doctors gave her only a 10% chance of survival.
While she was in the ICU, Priscilla’s family prayed for a miracle. And though she couldn’t open her eyes, Priscilla heard every word.
As her family tried to stay hopeful, her cousin Candi heard nurses talking about the hospital’s beloved therapy dogs.
“Could one of the dogs come visit Priscilla?” she asked.
Pembroke Pines, Florida’s Memorial Hospital West has several dogs specially trained for hospital work. Director of Nursing Maria Weinstein cares for one of the dogs, a 7-year-old golden retriever named Scrunchie. Maria was getting ready to leave for the day when her extension rang.
“Could Scrunchie come to the ICU?”
“Let’s go, girl,” Maria said, and Scrunchie led the way.
At the ICU, Scrunchie made a beeline for Priscilla’s bedside and licked her hand.
Miraculously, Priscilla’s fingers responded to Scrunchie’s licks. Her hand inched forward, and soon she was gently stroking Scrunchie’s soft fur.
Good dog, Priscilla thought, feeling a rush of strength in her hand and arms.
That evening she was holding her mother’s hand, and the next morning Priscilla’s eyes opened.
Days later, when doctors removed her breathing tube, Priscilla explained how everyone’s love — and Scrunchie’s visit — had sustained her.
Scrunchie visited Priscilla several more times in the hospital and came to say goodbye on her discharge day.
At home, Priscilla healed and was soon as good as new. She remembers everything from when she was in the coma.
“God told me I was going to be okay. He sent Scrunchie to make sure.”
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