The Yorkshire terrier dog named Fiona is a super dog, if you ask Eleanor Miller.
Eleanor Miller lives with a heart condition – a coronary artery disease to be specific – the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. The arteries that supply blood towards the heart become hardened and narrowed. One of the most common symptoms of this disease is chest pain, known as Angina, which can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, all life-threatening conditions.
According to Eleanor, Fiona has saved her life a lot more times than she can count, alerting her to impending chest pain and signaling her to take her medication. When Fiona senses an angina episode coming on, initially she whimpers then she paws at Eleanor’s chest.
The small and mighty Yorkshire dog wears a vest with a registered service animal patch, travels in a comfy black sling held close to Eleanor’s chest, and has superpowers nobody can fully explain.
“We don’t know how she does it. The important thing is she does.” added Eleanor.
Fiona’s Journey to Becoming an Official Service Dog
According to the American Disabilities Act, a service or assistance animals are trained to do a task or service directly related to a disability. These animals are generally allowed to accompany their owners whenever they go. Those animals that provide only emotional support, comfort or companionship are not service animals and do not have the same protection.
Fiona did her training in Portland alongside German shepherds and Labrador retrievers, graduating April 2011.
Fiona: 17 Alerts in One Month
The 4-pound Yorkie alerts Eleanor a couple times a month. Last year, during a particularly stressful time for Eleanor, Fiona made 17 alerts in one month.
Eleanor makes use of a prescribed nitroglycerin spray, which shortens and even prevents attacks of angina. The tiny bottle, about the size of nail polish, is constantly close by in the pouch with Fiona.
Relief commonly comes a few minutes after Eleanor administer a spray under her tongue.
New residents at Lancaster Village in Northeast Salem are in awe after they hear tales of her heroics. The clerks at nearby Fred Meyer where Eleanor shops, adore her.