Dogs may not have wings, but they carry something divine in their hearts , a presence that transforms, soothes, and heals. They say God sent them to remind us of love in its purest form .
And it was exactly this love that changed Priscilla Timmons ‘ destiny : a simple gesture from a puppy was enough to wake her from an induced coma and prove that dogs are truly special little beings .
Without a doubt, Scrunchie , a sweet golden retriever , became Priscilla’s guardian angel . Her tender presence brought light to the darkest days and strength when all seemed lost.
It was she who, with a simple gesture of love , helped Priscilla awaken and showed the world that the bond between a dog and a human can be truly miraculous
What happened to Priscilla?
On March 13, 39-year-old Priscilla began feeling unwell while in the bathroom. Struggling to breathe, she only managed to summon the strength to text her mother for help.
Minutes later, he suffered a pulmonary embolism , which caused three cardiac arrests and resulted in multiple organ failure .
It all happened in a matter of moments, a sudden collapse that would completely change the course of his life.
On their GoFundMe page, the family reported that after the third cardiac arrest, doctors were honest with them and told them that Priscilla had only a 10% chance of survival .
Priscilla was admitted to Memorial Healthcare System in Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States. Dr. Daniel Mayer , head of the intensive care unit, told reporters that he and his team had the difficult task of breaking the bad news to the family.
“In the ICU, she worsened and went into cardiac arrest,” Daniel continued. “Thanks to our ICU team and their refusal to give up, despite the absence of cardiac contractility for 40 minutes, we were able to [restart cardiac activity].”
For 21 days , Priscilla fought an intense battle against multiple organ failure and loss of mobility. When her body no longer had the strength to fight back, doctors decided to place her in a medically induced coma to try to stabilize her condition.
It was then that a four-legged angel appeared in his life, bringing with him the hope that everyone thought had been lost.
Scrunchie, the little gold that gave back hope
Scrunchie is a therapy dog trained to bring comfort and hope to hospitalized patients. Alongside his canine companion , Honey Crisp , they make regular visits to the hospital , spreading affection and joy wherever they go. Together, they transform moments of pain into moments of peace and hope .
During one of the visits to Priscilla ‘s room , Scrunchie’s trainer placed a small treat near the patient’s hand, which was resting on the bed.
As the golden retriever gently sniffed the biscuit, its nose and paws touched Priscilla’s hand, and in that instant she began to react, instinctively petting the dog.
It was a simple but moving moment that marked the beginning of his recovery.
Priscilla said that although she was conscious and could hear voices and everything going on around her, she couldn’t open her eyes or move her body . It was as if her mind was awake but trapped inside a sleeping body.
The day Scrunchie visited, Priscilla heard someone say there was a very special visitor waiting for her. What she didn’t imagine was that this presence would be that of a loving golden retriever , whose simple touch would restore not only her mobility but also her hope for life.
“Then I felt her little paw, and that’s when I was able to move my fingers and lift my hand off the bed, lifting her into the air,” Priscilla said. “As a huge dog lover, this gave me all the motivation to reach out to her as much as I could.”
Faced with the miracle, Priscilla declared:
“Thank God for therapy dogs, because they are angels.”
On October 22nd , Scrunchie and Honey attended a press conference at Memorial Hospital West to celebrate a moment that seemed impossible months before: Priscilla’s recovery.
The atmosphere was one of emotion and gratitude.
Doctors, journalists and family members gathered to witness firsthand the reunion between the patient and the golden retriever who had touched her heart and, in a way, brought her life back.
Faith, medicine and the power of hope
After her emotional encounter with Scrunchie , Priscilla began to show signs of improvement. Each day, small improvements showed that her strength was returning.
Gradually, she regained movement, resumed her speech, and was finally discharged home . A few months later, however, Priscilla returned to the emergency room after experiencing mild discomfort.
“My mind was playing tricks on me. I preferred not to take any chances,” he said. To his relief, tests showed that his lungs were 100 percent clear, as if nothing had happened. “That gave me all the peace of mind I needed,” he added.
Today, Priscilla recognizes that her recovery was the result of the union between faith and medicine .
“In my eyes, faith and medicine go hand in hand,” he said. “Science offers us treatment and cure, but it is faith that keeps hope alive. God told me to fight, and I fought with all my heart.”
Therapy dogs
Therapy dogs play a vital role in clinical, educational, and emotional wellness settings.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) , these dogs visit schools, hospitals and nursing homes, always accompanied by their handlers, with the goal of “improving the lives of others.”
They are not guide or specialized service dogs, nor do they have the same rights to public access — their function is to provide comfort, affection, and emotional support .
Studies show that the presence of these animals can reduce stress, increase levels of oxytocin (the “feel-good hormone”) and improve both the emotional and cognitive state of patients.
Therapy dogs help create moments of connection, trust, and calm in those facing challenges—whether physical, mental, or situational—acting as bridges of empathy, affection, and encouragement toward recovery.
