Therapy Dog Awakens Woman from Coma — A Real-Life Miracle That Shows the Power of Dogs in Healing

When 38-year-old Priscilla Timmons of Cooper City, Florida, slipped into a coma after a massive pulmonary embolism, doctors gave her less than a 10% chance of survival. But then something remarkable happened.

As her family prayed at her bedside, a therapy dog named Scrunchie, a 7-year-old Golden Retriever from Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines, gently nudged her hand — and she moved.

That small moment changed everything. Timmons’ fingers twitched. Her hand lifted. And for the first time since her collapse, her loved ones saw a flicker of life.

“I remember feeling her paw,” Timmons later told reporters of SunSentinel. “I couldn’t open my eyes, but I could feel that she was there. That’s when I knew I wasn’t alone.”

Doctors and nurses had already worked tirelessly for more than 40 minutes to resuscitate her after three cardiac arrests. The fact that she not only survived — but regained consciousness — has been called nothing short of miraculous.

How Therapy Dogs Help Heal — Physically and Emotionally

Therapy dogs like Scrunchie are trained not for medical detection or service tasks, but for comfort, connection, and emotional support. In hospitals, nursing homes, and even schools, these dogs help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and trigger the release of oxytocin — the “bonding” hormone that brings a sense of calm and safety.

Research published in Frontiers in Psychology has shown that therapy dog visits can even lower pain perception and improve patient cooperation with medical care. For patients like Timmons, that moment of comfort can help spark something deeper — a will to fight, heal, and reconnect.

The Growing Presence of Therapy Dogs in Hospitals

Hospitals across the country, including several in Nevada, are expanding therapy dog programs after seeing their impact. At Memorial Healthcare System in Florida, where Timmons was treated, dogs like Scrunchie and her fellow therapy dog Honeycrisp are a part of regular patient rounds.

“These incredible animals bring light into the darkest moments,” said Timmons’ cousin, Kandi Barnwell. “When Scrunchie visited, we saw Priscilla move for the first time. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.”

Here in Las Vegas, local hospitals including Summerlin Hospital and Sunrise Health have begun incorporating therapy pet visits through certified volunteer programs — often partnering with organizations like Pet Partners and Therapy Dogs International, which set national training and certification standards.

Other Stories of Dogs Sparking Recovery

Timmons’ story isn’t alone. In 2024, a therapy dog named Harley in Ohio helped a stroke patient regain mobility after the patient first reached out to pet him during rehab. In another case, a veteran at a California VA hospital regained speech after months of silence, saying his therapy dog’s name — the first word he’d spoken since his brain injury.

These stories highlight what so many of us already know: dogs don’t just sense our emotions — they help us heal.

What Makes a Therapy Dog?

Not every friendly dog can be a therapy dog, but many can qualify with proper training. To become certified, dogs typically must:

• Pass an evaluation for temperament and obedience.
• Show comfort in noisy or unpredictable environments.
• Remain calm around wheelchairs, IV poles, or medical equipment.
• Work under the supervision of a certified handler.

Organizations like Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Pet Partners, and Love on a Leash provide certification recognized nationwide.

If you’ve ever considered volunteering with your dog, it’s one of the most rewarding ways to give back — and stories like Timmons’ show just how meaningful it can be.

A Miracle — and a Message

When Timmons returned to Memorial West to thank the staff who saved her, she made sure Scrunchie was there too. “Yes, I’m a miracle,” she said, “but it’s because of you — and because of her.”

In a world that often feels heavy, stories like this remind us of something simple but profound: sometimes healing begins with a paw, a touch, and a heartbeat beside your own.