Ohio Nurse Honored After Saving Neighbor’s Rescue Dog With Heimlich and CPR

A Stow, Ohio nurse was recognized by city leaders after using her emergency training to save her neighbor’s dog, Winston, who nearly died after choking on a chicken drumstick.

Earlier this month, the Stow City Council honored nurse Kem Cook for her quick action and lifesaving skills.

Winston’s Backstory

Winston, a mixed-breed rescue, was adopted by Van and Karen Perch when he was just six months old. Known for his calm nature and love of kids, Winston enjoys long walks on the neighborhood bike trail.

But the laid-back pup has a mischievous side, too—he barks at Amazon trucks and has a habit of grabbing food whenever he can.

That habit nearly cost him his life.

A Walk Cut Short

On a Sunday walk, Winston spotted a discarded fried chicken drumstick along the roadside. Once he clamped down on it, his owners couldn’t pry it away.

Back home, Winston attempted to swallow the drumstick whole.

“Picture the drumstick — the big thick part of it — just lodged in his throat,” said owner Van Perch.

At first, Winston wheezed and ran around the backyard. But soon, he became out of it.

Nurse Steps In

Next door, Cook—an RN with more than 35 years of hospital and emergency department experience—heard the commotion and ran over.

Karen Perch had tried the Heimlich, but Winston was limp and lethargic. Cook joined in the effort. When initial thrusts didn’t work, Van tried using pliers to remove the bone, but only fragments came out. Winston was quickly losing consciousness.

Realizing there was no time to waste, Cook reached into Winston’s throat, managed to grip the drumstick, and pulled it free.

“I pulled it out and he was floppy … I could tell he wasn’t breathing, and his tongue was so blue it was black,” she said.

Canine CPR

Cook immediately started chest compressions.

“I think it’s just, you know, a chest is a chest, a heart is a heart. I’ve seen enough videos,” she explained. “I just went right in the middle of the chest where I knew his heart would be and just started compressing using human principles, hard and fast. Just compress, compress, compress.”

After several compressions, Winston gasped, began to breathe again, and was rushed to a veterinary hospital, where he was x-rayed and made a full recovery.

A Heroic Rescue

Today, Winston is back to his usual routine of walks and barking at delivery trucks. He even attended the Stow City Council meeting where Cook was recognized.

Cook said she never expected her nursing skills to be used on a dog, but she’s glad she was there.

“I’d do it again,” Cook said. “It goes back to ‘if you see something, do something.’”

Image: Akron Beacon Journal

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