It’s safe to say that 17-year-old Elise Kilmer never imagined she’d one day be honored as a hero.
But for the Burton, Ohio teen, that’s exactly what has happened.
In a video posted by Fox 8 News to their Facebook page, Kilmer shares that her grandmother, who suffers from dementia, had been with the family for about a week to visit. Thankfully, Kilmer and her labradoodle puppy, Saige, were both at home when the elderly woman collapsed.
Saige Sounds the Alarm
According to WJW, Kilmer gives full credit to her dog.
“It was really great because I don’t know when I would’ve come out of my room and if it would’ve been too late by then,” the teen told her local outlet. “Saige definitely helped me get down there in time.”
When the incident occurred, Kilmer had been upstairs in her room with Saige. Suddenly, Saige jumped up and ran to the bedroom door, barking and scratching at it.
Since this wasn’t typical behavior for her pup, Kilmer wondered what had set her off. So she got up, let the dog out of her room, and followed her down to the kitchen.
The reason for the dog’s behavior became horribly clear.
Grandmother in Distress
Kilmer found her grandmother collapsed on the kitchen floor. She had fallen out of her chair and was choking on her lunch, clearly in need of medical attention.
Fortunately for all, Kilmer is a level-headed teen. And one who had a little medical knowhow of her own since she has worked as a lifeguard at her local YMCA.
She knew what to do.
“I was shocked at first, so I ran over to her and picked her up and laid her down on the floor because she was unconscious and then grabbed the phone and called 911,” she reports.
While waiting for the first responders to arrive, she administered CPR, just as she had been trained. Eventually, help arrived, and Kilmer’s grandmother was transported to the hospital. She spent two nights there being treated but thankfully recovered and released.
Credit Where Credit is Due
Kilmer is very aware that the situation could have been much different. She realizes that it was Saige’s instincts that prompted her to check on her grandmother.
“I’m not sure if she had heard my grandma fall out of the chair or something, but she definitely knew,” Kilmer reported to WJW. “They hear things that we don’t hear.”
She’s also glad she was at home at the time.
“I guess if no one was home, it would have been a completely different outcome. I feel really proud I was able to help my grandma in that way.”
And while Kilmer credits her dog as the hero, it’s only appropriate that she receives recognition as well. Her family and the Red Cross of Northeast Ohio have stepped up to the plate in that regard.
Mom’s are typically proud of their kids, and Kilmer’s mother is no exception—especially after this.
“I’m not really surprised about Elise’s abilities because she’s always been a mature individual. We’re extremely proud of her.”
And on March 12, she was honored with a Greater Cleveland Hero Award by the Red Cross of Northeast Ohio for her help in saving her grandmother’s life.
According to their website, this honor doesn’t go to just anyone.
“This event honors local those who have performed heroic acts of extraordinary courage to become someone’s hero. These are ordinary people who put themselves in harm’s way or have even risked their own lives to save another.”
Elise Kilmer is undoubtedly such a person.
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