Local woman credits service dog and CSPD officer with saving her life
A Colorado Springs resident says her service dog and a Colorado Springs Police Department officer played a crucial role in saving her life Tuesday night.
Colt is a service dog, trained to alert for seizures. Janaye Kearns suffers from a brain injury and has seizures often. But this time, she wasn’t able to make it home in time.
“I panicked because I thought, ‘Oh my gosh I’m out in this area and no one knows where at’,” said Kearns.
She was walking in Monument Valley Park with Colt when he alerted her.
“My service dog alerted me I was going to have a seizure, so I called my friend because I didn’t think I’d make it home in time,” said Kearns.
Kearns, going into a seizure, was having a difficult time relaying information on the phone as to her whereabouts.
“Colt normally doesn’t bark when Janaye has seizures. He usually lays down next to her so I knew at that point that something was wrong. I kept saying Janaye, Janaye and my son looked at me and said you need to call 911,” said Tami Sansbury, friend.
Colorado Springs police and Colorado Springs firefighters arrived at the park trying to locate the woman but were having difficulties in the dark.
Colt noticed the flashlights and officers and was able to find Officer Jeff Rymer and bring him to where Kearns was lying in the middle of the park.
“Using my spot light, I saw the dogs eyes reflect off my light but couldn’t see her till I got closer and she was having a seizure,” said Officer Rymer.
Kearns was seizing and not breathing until Rymer quickly performed lifesaving measures.
“Officer Rymer was the first on scene and took care of me and really saved my life. I’m really thankful for that,” said Kearns.
Officer Steve Pugsley, who assisted Rymer, stopped by Kearns’ hospital room to check on her.
She struggles to remember details of that night but knew she had to thank the officer, so we helped her track him down.
Officer Rymer says he was just doing his job.
“That’s what we do, go out and help people and fortunately we did in time,” said Rymer.
Kearns credits her service dog, Colt, the Colorado Springs police officers and firefighters with saving her life.
