Rottweiler Plays Large Role in Teen’s Life

Heather Jones has a special bond with Della, the Rottweiler. The Rottweiler can predict when Heather is about to have a seizure.

Sometimes there’s just no explanation. How can a dog detect in advance a child is going to have a seizure - especially a dog that hasn’t been trained to do so?

There’s no doubt Heather Jones & Della, a 4-year-old Rottweiler, have a special bond. Heather has been showing Della, owned by Mike & Robin Wheeler, at American Kennel Club events.

Though these two have a relationship, no one knew how close until Heather wound up in the hospital last week after suffering a series of seizures.

While at the hospital, Della alerted those in the critical care unit when Heather was having a problem catching her breath. When Heather was released from the hospital Della went to the girl’s home and while there would pace and whine when she sensed an impending seizure.

Before Della arrived at the hospital, Heather was pale and lethargic, Jones said. Within an hour of the dog’s arrival, Heather’s color had improved and she was more alert.

Della later returned to her owners’ Temple home and later the dog began to pace and could not be calmed. Wheeler called Jones and asked her to check on Heather. A few minutes later, Heather had a seizure.

“That told me neither time nor distance transcends the bond between these two,” Jones said.

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